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I can't believe people keep criticizing Alya for this scene. It's like they dont use their eyes or brains at all. The first thing you should notice is that the moment she knows Deniz is safe, she reverts back to herself - the Alya who's so in love with...

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CocoLoco

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15,464 Aufrufe • vor 5 Monaten •via X (Twitter)

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People keep saying Alya and Cihan aren't acting like themselves anymore. That's not true. They're still pretty much the same. Take the scene where Cihan tries to talk to Alya in their room. When he asks why she left the table, her reply is 'because it doesn't concern me.' That's exactly what she says when he tells her to talk things out with Fiko. Why? Because withdrawal is Alya's defense mechanism. The higher the risk of hurt, the more she pulls back. And yes, it all goes back to younger Alya living with the pain of being abandoned by her mother. Even though Alya knows the truth now, she still remembers how much it hurt to have her mother choose money over her. And that's how fears function. Not on logic, but on pain. So, Cihan knows exactly what she's doing when she refuses to talk to him about Meryem. He knows even Meryem's presence around them is enough to unsettle her. But he can't understand why he can't reach her, no matter how he tries. That's simple, too. Because this time, Alya's fear revolves around him leaving her. In silence, Alya can stay safe. She can ignore admitting how much losing Cihan would hurt her. Alya doesn't need Cihan to tell her that what he's doing is out of conscience. She knows him well enough for that. What she needs is certainty. The kind that can only come from when he admits that there are no contenders for his affection. That she's the only one he loves. Exactly how Alya told him. Cihan can't connect the dots because he's looking at things from his perspective. That because he knows Meryem no longer holds any place in his heart, somehow Alya is aware of it too. Once he makes the connection, hopefully with the presence of a certain chef, we'll see things tumble out in the open. We'll see that for Alya, love can have no room for doubt. That's why she's so clear about choosing Cihan openly despite Boran. And now, whether consciously or not, she’s waiting for Cihan to do the same. #CihAl #UzakŞehir
1:56

People keep saying Alya and Cihan aren't acting like themselves anymore. That's not true. They're still pretty much the same. Take the scene where Cihan tries to talk to Alya in their room. When he asks why she left the table, her reply is 'because it doesn't concern me.' That's exactly what she says when he tells her to talk things out with Fiko. Why? Because withdrawal is Alya's defense mechanism. The higher the risk of hurt, the more she pulls back. And yes, it all goes back to younger Alya living with the pain of being abandoned by her mother. Even though Alya knows the truth now, she still remembers how much it hurt to have her mother choose money over her. And that's how fears function. Not on logic, but on pain. So, Cihan knows exactly what she's doing when she refuses to talk to him about Meryem. He knows even Meryem's presence around them is enough to unsettle her. But he can't understand why he can't reach her, no matter how he tries. That's simple, too. Because this time, Alya's fear revolves around him leaving her. In silence, Alya can stay safe. She can ignore admitting how much losing Cihan would hurt her. Alya doesn't need Cihan to tell her that what he's doing is out of conscience. She knows him well enough for that. What she needs is certainty. The kind that can only come from when he admits that there are no contenders for his affection. That she's the only one he loves. Exactly how Alya told him. Cihan can't connect the dots because he's looking at things from his perspective. That because he knows Meryem no longer holds any place in his heart, somehow Alya is aware of it too. Once he makes the connection, hopefully with the presence of a certain chef, we'll see things tumble out in the open. We'll see that for Alya, love can have no room for doubt. That's why she's so clear about choosing Cihan openly despite Boran. And now, whether consciously or not, she’s waiting for Cihan to do the same. #CihAl #UzakŞehir

CocoLoco

14,086 Aufrufe • vor 4 Monaten

Alya's response to fear makes her withdraw within herself. It takes her a while to process it and share it with Cihan. So, what some people call Alya's standoffishness (with Cihan) is actually the materialization of her anxiety. In the beginning of ep 45, we see Alya sitting alone, the anka necklace gripped tight in her fingers (another tell) as she remembers what Cihan told her to calm herself. Then, when she witnesses what Nedim says at the office, her worry about the zombie manipulating Deniz is added to. Because now, there's the element of what people are saying about her and Cihan's relationship. And yes, Alya is strong, and she doesn't pay heed to losers, but that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt her to see people take shots at her and Cihan's love for eo. You see a similar reaction when they're at dinner, and she receives the zombie's call. It's like Boran is a nightmare that's hounding every aspect of her life. A black cloud that threatens the sun of her life - her love for her two Cihans. So, no. Alya isn't acting cold towards Cihan. She's withdrawing into herself to keep from hurting as she tries to battle the specter of her past that threatens her future. #CihAl #UzakŞehir
1:29

Alya's response to fear makes her withdraw within herself. It takes her a while to process it and share it with Cihan. So, what some people call Alya's standoffishness (with Cihan) is actually the materialization of her anxiety. In the beginning of ep 45, we see Alya sitting alone, the anka necklace gripped tight in her fingers (another tell) as she remembers what Cihan told her to calm herself. Then, when she witnesses what Nedim says at the office, her worry about the zombie manipulating Deniz is added to. Because now, there's the element of what people are saying about her and Cihan's relationship. And yes, Alya is strong, and she doesn't pay heed to losers, but that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt her to see people take shots at her and Cihan's love for eo. You see a similar reaction when they're at dinner, and she receives the zombie's call. It's like Boran is a nightmare that's hounding every aspect of her life. A black cloud that threatens the sun of her life - her love for her two Cihans. So, no. Alya isn't acting cold towards Cihan. She's withdrawing into herself to keep from hurting as she tries to battle the specter of her past that threatens her future. #CihAl #UzakŞehir

CocoLoco

13,856 Aufrufe • vor 7 Monaten

Alya drives several points home here. The fact that Meryem is staying at the konak, with the kind of history she has with Cihan while Cihan is in a relationship with Alya stings. Never mind the reason. Two, she equates their past relationships based on the idea of ilk aşk. And Cihan can't stand the idea even though Alya makes it clear to him all feelings were on Enver's side only because Cihan is Alya's first true love. And Cihan realizes exactly how thin of a tight rope he's walking in that instant because what he expects from Alya, he would never be able to withstand. The fact that he's insanely jealous of a faceless 17 year old boy who Alya no longer has any connection to (note the signature rubbing his nose move) is testament to that. And perhaps that's the irony of it all: Cihan asks Alya to make room for a past he insists is no longer a threat, while the mere shadow of her past is enough to unravel him. He can rationalize Meryem as memory, gratitude, history - stuff Alya should understand but put another man anywhere near Alya's heart, even retrospectively, and suddenly reason abandons him. Because when it comes to Alya, Cihan doesn't know how to share. Not her present, not her future, apparently not even a piece of her past. Enver becoming flesh and blood may force Cihan to confront the impossible standard he once asked Alya to endure. And to top it all is the way things were left hanging at the finale. Cihan tells Alya he won't forgive her this time. Alya leaves for Cihan, and when Cihan discovers that and goes after her, and then sees the chef, I fear the man might genuinely lose his shit 😭 #CihAl #UzakŞehir
0:41

Alya drives several points home here. The fact that Meryem is staying at the konak, with the kind of history she has with Cihan while Cihan is in a relationship with Alya stings. Never mind the reason. Two, she equates their past relationships based on the idea of ilk aşk. And Cihan can't stand the idea even though Alya makes it clear to him all feelings were on Enver's side only because Cihan is Alya's first true love. And Cihan realizes exactly how thin of a tight rope he's walking in that instant because what he expects from Alya, he would never be able to withstand. The fact that he's insanely jealous of a faceless 17 year old boy who Alya no longer has any connection to (note the signature rubbing his nose move) is testament to that. And perhaps that's the irony of it all: Cihan asks Alya to make room for a past he insists is no longer a threat, while the mere shadow of her past is enough to unravel him. He can rationalize Meryem as memory, gratitude, history - stuff Alya should understand but put another man anywhere near Alya's heart, even retrospectively, and suddenly reason abandons him. Because when it comes to Alya, Cihan doesn't know how to share. Not her present, not her future, apparently not even a piece of her past. Enver becoming flesh and blood may force Cihan to confront the impossible standard he once asked Alya to endure. And to top it all is the way things were left hanging at the finale. Cihan tells Alya he won't forgive her this time. Alya leaves for Cihan, and when Cihan discovers that and goes after her, and then sees the chef, I fear the man might genuinely lose his shit 😭 #CihAl #UzakŞehir

CocoLoco

11,726 Aufrufe • vor 20 Tagen

Y'all remember this? Alya has all the reason in the world to lie to Cihan about Demir's proposal. But when Ciho asks, she tells him what Demir says verbatim. Even her justification for meeting Demir in the first place makes sense. She has no reason to trust the man who has her locked up. But when push comes to shove, her character wins over her anger. Now, ask yourself why Meryem hides that letter from Cihan. She says she feels safe with Cihan, she knows his kindness, and she also knows he's genuinely trying to help her. Her justification of I just wanted to leave without distruptions make even less sense because she knows the kind of man her ex-husband is. In other words, she's a foil for Alya's character in Cihan's eyes. The way Boran was a foil for Cihan's character. If Alya represents transparency despite fear, Meryem represents concealment despite safety. People learn from experience Cihan says. And the past is here to teach Ciho and Alya both. #CihAl #UzakŞehir
1:29

Y'all remember this? Alya has all the reason in the world to lie to Cihan about Demir's proposal. But when Ciho asks, she tells him what Demir says verbatim. Even her justification for meeting Demir in the first place makes sense. She has no reason to trust the man who has her locked up. But when push comes to shove, her character wins over her anger. Now, ask yourself why Meryem hides that letter from Cihan. She says she feels safe with Cihan, she knows his kindness, and she also knows he's genuinely trying to help her. Her justification of I just wanted to leave without distruptions make even less sense because she knows the kind of man her ex-husband is. In other words, she's a foil for Alya's character in Cihan's eyes. The way Boran was a foil for Cihan's character. If Alya represents transparency despite fear, Meryem represents concealment despite safety. People learn from experience Cihan says. And the past is here to teach Ciho and Alya both. #CihAl #UzakŞehir

CocoLoco

10,528 Aufrufe • vor 4 Monaten

The way we all kept asking for flashbacks to understand Cihan and Alya better, yet no one is talking about these beauties. Both Alya and Cihan think back to their favorite moments, and that helps highlight what their current strife is. For instance, Alya thinks about Cihan's confession, his 'I love you' moment. But before that, she thinks about how he tells her to never let go of his hand. And you can almost hear Alya thinking, 'Does he still want to hold on to my hand? Does he still want me to hold his?' And that's precisely why she pulls her hand back in the scene right before this, because while he tells her he loves her in ep32, he also says he can't ignore his brother. Which is neither here nor there. And she wants clarity. She wants him to say I choose you l, like she chose him. Meanwhile, Cihan thinks about Alya's confession and her 'seni seviyorum.' And his next flashback features Alya telling him 'Hurry back, I'll be waiting for you.' And in that moment, it's as if Cihan is asking himself, 'Is she still waiting for me? Does she even want me anymore?' In the last episode, seeing Alya crash out and say, 'What didn't I go through in the past year?' seems to him as if she's lumping their time together in that sentence, too. She isn't, of course, but Ciho doesn't know that. So, essentially, their talk later on clears out the air for Cihan. Because Alya is super clear about what she wants. But, when she throws down the gauntlet and says, 'If you don't have the courage to stand by me, I'll take me son and leave' Cihan never gets the chance to clarify himself as they're interrupted by Deniz. Thankfully, not all is lost. Alya is still pissed at Ciho when they return, but when Cihan tells her not to return to the koltuk because neither of them have the strength to return to the past, it gives Alya hope. It's Cihan's way of saying don't try and go back to the way things were because I can't/won't do that anymore. No doubt Cihan bey will make matters even clearer to his wife soon, but for now, this was a beautifully written sequence. These two lovable idiots may take some time before they're sure of themselves, but once they commit, they don't give up ❤️✨️ #CihAl #UzakŞehir
0:50

The way we all kept asking for flashbacks to understand Cihan and Alya better, yet no one is talking about these beauties. Both Alya and Cihan think back to their favorite moments, and that helps highlight what their current strife is. For instance, Alya thinks about Cihan's confession, his 'I love you' moment. But before that, she thinks about how he tells her to never let go of his hand. And you can almost hear Alya thinking, 'Does he still want to hold on to my hand? Does he still want me to hold his?' And that's precisely why she pulls her hand back in the scene right before this, because while he tells her he loves her in ep32, he also says he can't ignore his brother. Which is neither here nor there. And she wants clarity. She wants him to say I choose you l, like she chose him. Meanwhile, Cihan thinks about Alya's confession and her 'seni seviyorum.' And his next flashback features Alya telling him 'Hurry back, I'll be waiting for you.' And in that moment, it's as if Cihan is asking himself, 'Is she still waiting for me? Does she even want me anymore?' In the last episode, seeing Alya crash out and say, 'What didn't I go through in the past year?' seems to him as if she's lumping their time together in that sentence, too. She isn't, of course, but Ciho doesn't know that. So, essentially, their talk later on clears out the air for Cihan. Because Alya is super clear about what she wants. But, when she throws down the gauntlet and says, 'If you don't have the courage to stand by me, I'll take me son and leave' Cihan never gets the chance to clarify himself as they're interrupted by Deniz. Thankfully, not all is lost. Alya is still pissed at Ciho when they return, but when Cihan tells her not to return to the koltuk because neither of them have the strength to return to the past, it gives Alya hope. It's Cihan's way of saying don't try and go back to the way things were because I can't/won't do that anymore. No doubt Cihan bey will make matters even clearer to his wife soon, but for now, this was a beautifully written sequence. These two lovable idiots may take some time before they're sure of themselves, but once they commit, they don't give up ❤️✨️ #CihAl #UzakŞehir

CocoLoco

17,771 Aufrufe • vor 10 Monaten

Analyzing Episode 58. Season 2 aka Balancing the Scales This episode was some of Sinem and Ozan's best work. Their expressions landed every single time, and, frankly, short of screaming what the story is trying to say, they did everything they could to convince the audience that CihAl was, is, and will remain the endgame. With that out of the way, let's begin. We start the episode with Cihan shitting literal bricks as he sees Alya is already at the konak with Sadakat and Meryem arriving, right behind him. The reason is clear - he's caught in a difficult situation yet again. He doesn't want things to look like he's overriding Alya's existence in his life as its core, but circumstances keep making it so that he's put in awkward situations, which only compound his fear of pushing Alya past the point of no return. Meryem is all smiles and teeth at seeing the konak, but the minute her eyes land on Alya, her smile and her eyes drop to the floor. Almost like she was expecting something else entirely, but reality has shamed her. Her eyes remain downcast throughout the entire time she's walking towards Alya, as if Alya's the truth she can't cross eyes with. Alya, on the other hand, remains standing tall. She doesn't flinch, doesn't express any outward anger, but you can see the storm raging in her eyes. When Cihan tells her Meryem will have to stay at the konak, she merely looks at him and nods. And you can see terror mixed with shame (I think) on Cihan's face, but hers remains clear of emotion. And then she walks away, saying she needs to collect Deniz because she's tired. Now that's an exit. Poised, calm, and leaving behind an absolute massacre in the onlookers. The scene where Deniz meets Meryem is another masterpiece because it's very subtle in the message it delivers. Which is - human relations go beyond blood, beyond memory, beyond societal impediments, if the love on both sides is strong enough. When Deniz says he's named after his father, the little boy is telling the truth. Cihan may not be his father in blood, but he's the father Deniz loves, the father he chose for himself. Then the same message is repeated through Deniz about CihAl when Sadakat tries to create trouble by saying Alya and Cihan are divorced. To which Deniz innocently replies, they may be divorced now, but they can get married again. Again, highlighting the importance of human connection. CihAl keep choosing each other through whatever challenge life throws at them, because they love each other equally. Yes, marriages and divorce can be forced, but it's the presence or absence of love that determines the final outcome. Case in point, Alya's marriage to Boran, Cihan's marriage to Seyda, Nare with Ozkan, Zerrin and Demir, etc., etc. That's what anyone opposing CihAl doesn't understand. Love finds a way. Always. That's what the story has been about since the beginning - that love will stand strong in front of all, as long as what you feel is truly love, and not some imitation of it. Also, *hint* *hint* that's the second time someone has mentioned CihAl getting married again, so it's definitely coming. Now for the scene where Cihan and Alya talk in their room. Cihan is right to be afraid of Alya here because he's a first-hand witness to how Alya reacts when she's been betrayed. He's seen how she took off Boran's ring and buried it with him after she found out about the will. An extreme situation compared to this one, absolutely. But fears don't use logic. Cihan knows Alya is strong enough to move on, to rise from the ashes - her strength is what he loves and fears at the same time. So, when he says 'Think of the Cihan in Alya's eyes, I don't want to be that Cihan' he's saying I know it looks like I disregarded you and broke your trust again, but that's not how things were. He needs her to show emotions, not because it'll pander to his ego, but because that's a sign she's still involved. That she's not near the point where she says 'enough is enough.' Alya, on the flip side, can't show her emotions. Because, unlike what Cihan fears, it's because she's so in love with him, so involved, that she's afraid to even ask what Cihan feels. Because if she learns Cihan's past isn't just the past, that he still loves Meryem, it'll shatter her unlike anything else. Despite it all, Cihan manages to reach Alya somehow when he pleads, 'I need you to communicate with me.' It's like his fears break past her barriers and, in turn, allow her to open up a little to him because she admits she doesn't know what to do, and then out comes the real question, 'Don't you feel anything?' Kudos to Cihan for not dodging the question and saying whatever he feels for her is just memory and gratitude. Salak. And I say salak with all my love, because he still misses the elephant in the room. The point is the imbalance. When we tell someone they're the only love of our life, we want an equal declaration in return. If not, the loop remains incomplete - with one side a little more invested than the other. And, CihAl's story thus far has been the opposite of imbalance. Their story is about symmetry; they reflect each other in love, in wounds, in loss. Basically everything. So, how is it that Alya's only love is Cihan, while his isn't? It's not. And that's where that necklace reveal becomes important, but we'll get to that later. For now, let's talk about that little talk in the car. The story itself is giving us hints that this imbalance won't last long, because the minute Alya talks about her first brush with romance is the moment jealous Cihan makes a return. He gets jealous of a nameless, formless, 16-year-old boy who once had the audacity to date his wife. That is, he can't tolerate a contender for Alya's affections even in memory. Cihan is extremely possessive about Alya, which is why he doesn't waste a moment to remind her she told him he's her only love. And Alya, being Alya, doesn't waste a moment in reminding him that he didn't. And then she turns the screw a little by telling Cihan not to burn his heart over her teenage crush because she never planned to marry her crush, nor is she conveniently living under the same roof with him. Mic drop. Cihan's face at that moment is a study in being hoist by one's own petard. Because he's expecting Alya to be okay with something he can't even stand the idea of. He's jealous as hell, but he can't do anything about it. But why is all this happening? Because one of Cihan's biggest truths is - he loved Meryem and lost her. In truth, he didn't love her, which is why he didn't fight hard enough, which is why he lost her. If Cihan had truly loved Meryem the way he loves Alya, he would have fought until the bitter end. Like he's doing for Alya. That's the truth. In Uzak, true love isn't passive - it demands to be seen, to be felt, it doesn't sit back quietly and accept defeat. In this story, love demands to be chosen. And Cihan didn't choose Meryem, not in the way it matters. So, why can't Cihan just accept the truth already? Fear and guilt, I think. Fear of the magnitude of what he feels for Alya, and what losing her would do to him. And guilt because some part of him knows he didn't do for Meryem what he's doing for Alya. And of course, now there's the burden of her shitty ex, too. Nonetheless, fate keeps pushing Cihan to realize the truth, over and over again in this episode. Another glimpse of how passive Cihan may have been in his relationship with Meryem is the dinner scene. Sadakat points out how much Meryem loved stuffed kebabs, and Cihan is barely listening. This is the same man who knows what Alya likes to eat when she's on break during duty. When Meryem points out Cihan's allergy, he says it was something he had in the past, but no longer. Almost like he's comparing the feelings he once had for her to an allergy. What an allegory. See? The signs are all there, but Cihan isn't picking up on them completely. Then fate ups the ante with the arrival of Chef Engin. The first thing Cihan asks Alya when Engin is gone is - Is that him? As in, is that the boy you said loved you? The man goes off the rails in 0 to 60 seconds, and keeps coming up with excuses like he may have changed his name or appearance. The idea of not being the only man in Alya's life makes him lose his cool while Alya rightly points out that she's not the one living with her 'first love' currently. Which then leads to Cihan spending the night at the office. So, fate manages to teach him one lesson here. Which is - ask only for that which you're ready to give. Cihan needs emotional exclusivity from Alya, but hasn't given her the same yet. He's not built to share Alya, not with the past, not with a memory, not with anything. But the second he feels even a fraction of what Alya's been going through, he unravels marvelously. And that's the entire point of that sequence. It's not just jealous drama, it's exposure. Cihan is slowly being led towards the one truth staring him in the face. That's where the necklace comes in. Thus far, Ciho seems to be operating under the misconception that Meryem has moved on, like him. But that necklace (and the video) prove otherwise. Meryem's current attachment to him throws neutrality out the window. Because Cihan will now have to set absolute boundaries, and in doing so, understand why he's setting them. Why what he feels for Alya leaves no room for anyone else because he can't stand the idea of something similar in Alya's past, present, or future. Because they are each other's exception, and everyone else was the rule. And that's it from me for now. Till later. Happy reading, y'all. #CihAl #UzakŞehir
2:09

Analyzing Episode 58. Season 2 aka Balancing the Scales This episode was some of Sinem and Ozan's best work. Their expressions landed every single time, and, frankly, short of screaming what the story is trying to say, they did everything they could to convince the audience that CihAl was, is, and will remain the endgame. With that out of the way, let's begin. We start the episode with Cihan shitting literal bricks as he sees Alya is already at the konak with Sadakat and Meryem arriving, right behind him. The reason is clear - he's caught in a difficult situation yet again. He doesn't want things to look like he's overriding Alya's existence in his life as its core, but circumstances keep making it so that he's put in awkward situations, which only compound his fear of pushing Alya past the point of no return. Meryem is all smiles and teeth at seeing the konak, but the minute her eyes land on Alya, her smile and her eyes drop to the floor. Almost like she was expecting something else entirely, but reality has shamed her. Her eyes remain downcast throughout the entire time she's walking towards Alya, as if Alya's the truth she can't cross eyes with. Alya, on the other hand, remains standing tall. She doesn't flinch, doesn't express any outward anger, but you can see the storm raging in her eyes. When Cihan tells her Meryem will have to stay at the konak, she merely looks at him and nods. And you can see terror mixed with shame (I think) on Cihan's face, but hers remains clear of emotion. And then she walks away, saying she needs to collect Deniz because she's tired. Now that's an exit. Poised, calm, and leaving behind an absolute massacre in the onlookers. The scene where Deniz meets Meryem is another masterpiece because it's very subtle in the message it delivers. Which is - human relations go beyond blood, beyond memory, beyond societal impediments, if the love on both sides is strong enough. When Deniz says he's named after his father, the little boy is telling the truth. Cihan may not be his father in blood, but he's the father Deniz loves, the father he chose for himself. Then the same message is repeated through Deniz about CihAl when Sadakat tries to create trouble by saying Alya and Cihan are divorced. To which Deniz innocently replies, they may be divorced now, but they can get married again. Again, highlighting the importance of human connection. CihAl keep choosing each other through whatever challenge life throws at them, because they love each other equally. Yes, marriages and divorce can be forced, but it's the presence or absence of love that determines the final outcome. Case in point, Alya's marriage to Boran, Cihan's marriage to Seyda, Nare with Ozkan, Zerrin and Demir, etc., etc. That's what anyone opposing CihAl doesn't understand. Love finds a way. Always. That's what the story has been about since the beginning - that love will stand strong in front of all, as long as what you feel is truly love, and not some imitation of it. Also, *hint* *hint* that's the second time someone has mentioned CihAl getting married again, so it's definitely coming. Now for the scene where Cihan and Alya talk in their room. Cihan is right to be afraid of Alya here because he's a first-hand witness to how Alya reacts when she's been betrayed. He's seen how she took off Boran's ring and buried it with him after she found out about the will. An extreme situation compared to this one, absolutely. But fears don't use logic. Cihan knows Alya is strong enough to move on, to rise from the ashes - her strength is what he loves and fears at the same time. So, when he says 'Think of the Cihan in Alya's eyes, I don't want to be that Cihan' he's saying I know it looks like I disregarded you and broke your trust again, but that's not how things were. He needs her to show emotions, not because it'll pander to his ego, but because that's a sign she's still involved. That she's not near the point where she says 'enough is enough.' Alya, on the flip side, can't show her emotions. Because, unlike what Cihan fears, it's because she's so in love with him, so involved, that she's afraid to even ask what Cihan feels. Because if she learns Cihan's past isn't just the past, that he still loves Meryem, it'll shatter her unlike anything else. Despite it all, Cihan manages to reach Alya somehow when he pleads, 'I need you to communicate with me.' It's like his fears break past her barriers and, in turn, allow her to open up a little to him because she admits she doesn't know what to do, and then out comes the real question, 'Don't you feel anything?' Kudos to Cihan for not dodging the question and saying whatever he feels for her is just memory and gratitude. Salak. And I say salak with all my love, because he still misses the elephant in the room. The point is the imbalance. When we tell someone they're the only love of our life, we want an equal declaration in return. If not, the loop remains incomplete - with one side a little more invested than the other. And, CihAl's story thus far has been the opposite of imbalance. Their story is about symmetry; they reflect each other in love, in wounds, in loss. Basically everything. So, how is it that Alya's only love is Cihan, while his isn't? It's not. And that's where that necklace reveal becomes important, but we'll get to that later. For now, let's talk about that little talk in the car. The story itself is giving us hints that this imbalance won't last long, because the minute Alya talks about her first brush with romance is the moment jealous Cihan makes a return. He gets jealous of a nameless, formless, 16-year-old boy who once had the audacity to date his wife. That is, he can't tolerate a contender for Alya's affections even in memory. Cihan is extremely possessive about Alya, which is why he doesn't waste a moment to remind her she told him he's her only love. And Alya, being Alya, doesn't waste a moment in reminding him that he didn't. And then she turns the screw a little by telling Cihan not to burn his heart over her teenage crush because she never planned to marry her crush, nor is she conveniently living under the same roof with him. Mic drop. Cihan's face at that moment is a study in being hoist by one's own petard. Because he's expecting Alya to be okay with something he can't even stand the idea of. He's jealous as hell, but he can't do anything about it. But why is all this happening? Because one of Cihan's biggest truths is - he loved Meryem and lost her. In truth, he didn't love her, which is why he didn't fight hard enough, which is why he lost her. If Cihan had truly loved Meryem the way he loves Alya, he would have fought until the bitter end. Like he's doing for Alya. That's the truth. In Uzak, true love isn't passive - it demands to be seen, to be felt, it doesn't sit back quietly and accept defeat. In this story, love demands to be chosen. And Cihan didn't choose Meryem, not in the way it matters. So, why can't Cihan just accept the truth already? Fear and guilt, I think. Fear of the magnitude of what he feels for Alya, and what losing her would do to him. And guilt because some part of him knows he didn't do for Meryem what he's doing for Alya. And of course, now there's the burden of her shitty ex, too. Nonetheless, fate keeps pushing Cihan to realize the truth, over and over again in this episode. Another glimpse of how passive Cihan may have been in his relationship with Meryem is the dinner scene. Sadakat points out how much Meryem loved stuffed kebabs, and Cihan is barely listening. This is the same man who knows what Alya likes to eat when she's on break during duty. When Meryem points out Cihan's allergy, he says it was something he had in the past, but no longer. Almost like he's comparing the feelings he once had for her to an allergy. What an allegory. See? The signs are all there, but Cihan isn't picking up on them completely. Then fate ups the ante with the arrival of Chef Engin. The first thing Cihan asks Alya when Engin is gone is - Is that him? As in, is that the boy you said loved you? The man goes off the rails in 0 to 60 seconds, and keeps coming up with excuses like he may have changed his name or appearance. The idea of not being the only man in Alya's life makes him lose his cool while Alya rightly points out that she's not the one living with her 'first love' currently. Which then leads to Cihan spending the night at the office. So, fate manages to teach him one lesson here. Which is - ask only for that which you're ready to give. Cihan needs emotional exclusivity from Alya, but hasn't given her the same yet. He's not built to share Alya, not with the past, not with a memory, not with anything. But the second he feels even a fraction of what Alya's been going through, he unravels marvelously. And that's the entire point of that sequence. It's not just jealous drama, it's exposure. Cihan is slowly being led towards the one truth staring him in the face. That's where the necklace comes in. Thus far, Ciho seems to be operating under the misconception that Meryem has moved on, like him. But that necklace (and the video) prove otherwise. Meryem's current attachment to him throws neutrality out the window. Because Cihan will now have to set absolute boundaries, and in doing so, understand why he's setting them. Why what he feels for Alya leaves no room for anyone else because he can't stand the idea of something similar in Alya's past, present, or future. Because they are each other's exception, and everyone else was the rule. And that's it from me for now. Till later. Happy reading, y'all. #CihAl #UzakŞehir

CocoLoco

14,669 Aufrufe • vor 4 Monaten

So, they've left little crumbs all over the episode that Alya will likely pull a fast one on Ciho and not let him be the donor. When Cihan calls Alya up to tell her about the reports, she asks him if he's still using his 'bugs' to watch her. He replies with a cocky 'No, because I know you well enough to be able to predict your moves now.' And Alya says, 'I wouldn't be so sure if I were you.' Then there's an elephant-sized crumb in the trailer when Cihan repeats the phrase 'I know you' and Alya once again negates that. Cihan reads Alya like a book in s1. In s2, we're seeing that happen with Alya. The more she stays with Cihan, the more she understands how he functions, which is why she doesn't believe him when he tells her he has no medical conditions. And, she's picked up on how he likes to move silently as well. Which is why, she 'leaves' the konak on the basis of stopping him, but I think what she really wants is to keep him from monitoring her movements and any preparations she's making. She's about to turn Cihan's modus operandi on himself. And notice, each time Cihan tries to lie to Alya, she serves him a lesson worth remembering. This time, I think, the lesson will center around 'equivalence.' That they're both partners, a team, and both carry equal worth and weight. Cihan can't try his 'I'll be the one to endanger myself to save others' trick on Alya, because she's equally possessive about him. #CihAl #UzakŞehir
0:12

So, they've left little crumbs all over the episode that Alya will likely pull a fast one on Ciho and not let him be the donor. When Cihan calls Alya up to tell her about the reports, she asks him if he's still using his 'bugs' to watch her. He replies with a cocky 'No, because I know you well enough to be able to predict your moves now.' And Alya says, 'I wouldn't be so sure if I were you.' Then there's an elephant-sized crumb in the trailer when Cihan repeats the phrase 'I know you' and Alya once again negates that. Cihan reads Alya like a book in s1. In s2, we're seeing that happen with Alya. The more she stays with Cihan, the more she understands how he functions, which is why she doesn't believe him when he tells her he has no medical conditions. And, she's picked up on how he likes to move silently as well. Which is why, she 'leaves' the konak on the basis of stopping him, but I think what she really wants is to keep him from monitoring her movements and any preparations she's making. She's about to turn Cihan's modus operandi on himself. And notice, each time Cihan tries to lie to Alya, she serves him a lesson worth remembering. This time, I think, the lesson will center around 'equivalence.' That they're both partners, a team, and both carry equal worth and weight. Cihan can't try his 'I'll be the one to endanger myself to save others' trick on Alya, because she's equally possessive about him. #CihAl #UzakŞehir

CocoLoco

17,103 Aufrufe • vor 10 Monaten

The way Cihan proposes speaks volumes. This is the extended, improved version of the 'I'm not promising you a rose garden, Alya' of ep 28/29. This is the proposal of a man humbled by destiny and life. Which is why it includes no boasts. Instead, Cihan states facts. Cold, hard facts about himself, his life, and the difficulties Alya will face if she chooses him again. Underneath all that honesty is a man desperate for Alya to agree, but this time, his anxieties take a backseat because this is too important a deal for Cihan to botch up. So, he tells Alya he can't promise her an easy life, but he can promise her all of himself, as long as she continues to grace his life with her presence. And, Alya replies 'evlinerim' and 'buna da varim' - in other words, she accepts him and all that comes with him. All the craziness, the hardships, and everything else are acceptable as long as she has Cihan with her. And, that's why I said this proposal and Alya accepting the proposal in the way she does is one of the strongest hints these two are definitely getting hitched. It's the crossing of another threshold in their lives and relationship (him calling the ring a 'key', carrying her across the doorway, and sealing the deal with their bodies). Kind of like 'don't regret it later' in ep42, and then Alya walking under the shower to rise to the occasion. Because while all hell does break loose after they're together, even then, they still don't give up. Think about it, what are the reasons that could push Alya into leaving? Even if someone lies to her about Serhat, we've seen her refusing to leave Cihan's side when the whole bocek drama. Could it be someone threatening Cihan? Nope. Alya isn't the kind to keep that under wraps either, as seen by how she tells Cihan Demir's offer and how she barges into the hotel, thinking the Bulgarians have him. I initially thought it might be because she wants to give Cihan the freedom to choose without any obligations, but after this proposal, that's out too. Because this proposal removes any ambiguity about where Cihan's heart truly belongs. Disregarding his feelings now would be equal to disregarding the choice he's already made. Remember how she asks Cihan why no one is asking her what she wants when they're on the Firat trip? She's not about to do the same to Cihan. Now, let's focus on why she'd stay. One, she has Deniz's custody, so there's nothing pulling her in two opposite directions now. Plus, she's certain now that Cihan will go to any lengths to keep her and Deniz safe. Two, Cihan's increasing emotional transparency. We've seen this before in ep26-27. The more Cihan opens up to Alya, the more comfortable she becomes in her own skin. And, this time, Cihan's being very open about what Alya means to him and how Meryem is a shadow of the past that no longer belongs anywhere in his life. Three, her own love for Cihan is a determining factor. Alya loves Cihan enough to stay with him despite Mine wielding Boran's parentage over their heads. She gives up Deniz's location to save Cihan. She donates her kidney to ensure nothing happens to him. She risks saving Cihan from a car that's about to explode - you get the picture. And four, Alya's growing ability to read Sadakat's moves. S1 Alya reacted to Sadakat. S2 Alya observes and picks her battles. She already suspects Sadakat is up to something that includes Meryem, so she's on her guard. Which means Alya refusing to leave this time will break the wheel. Cihan's last wedding witnessed a bride too weak to fight for her love (apparently) and thus lost the opportunity to be with him. Alya's done nothing but fight to be with Cihan. There's a reason why Cihan's proposal includes the words, "You had a hundred thousand reasons to leave me… but you stayed." That line isn’t there to foreshadow Alya finally walking away. It’s there to underline that Alya has already been tested over and over again - by Sadakat, by Mine, by Boran, by Meryem, by danger, by fear, by the chaos surrounding Cihan. Yet, every single time, she still gravitates back to him. That's the way I see it anyways. Guess we'll find out 😉 #CihAl #UzakŞehir
3:40

The way Cihan proposes speaks volumes. This is the extended, improved version of the 'I'm not promising you a rose garden, Alya' of ep 28/29. This is the proposal of a man humbled by destiny and life. Which is why it includes no boasts. Instead, Cihan states facts. Cold, hard facts about himself, his life, and the difficulties Alya will face if she chooses him again. Underneath all that honesty is a man desperate for Alya to agree, but this time, his anxieties take a backseat because this is too important a deal for Cihan to botch up. So, he tells Alya he can't promise her an easy life, but he can promise her all of himself, as long as she continues to grace his life with her presence. And, Alya replies 'evlinerim' and 'buna da varim' - in other words, she accepts him and all that comes with him. All the craziness, the hardships, and everything else are acceptable as long as she has Cihan with her. And, that's why I said this proposal and Alya accepting the proposal in the way she does is one of the strongest hints these two are definitely getting hitched. It's the crossing of another threshold in their lives and relationship (him calling the ring a 'key', carrying her across the doorway, and sealing the deal with their bodies). Kind of like 'don't regret it later' in ep42, and then Alya walking under the shower to rise to the occasion. Because while all hell does break loose after they're together, even then, they still don't give up. Think about it, what are the reasons that could push Alya into leaving? Even if someone lies to her about Serhat, we've seen her refusing to leave Cihan's side when the whole bocek drama. Could it be someone threatening Cihan? Nope. Alya isn't the kind to keep that under wraps either, as seen by how she tells Cihan Demir's offer and how she barges into the hotel, thinking the Bulgarians have him. I initially thought it might be because she wants to give Cihan the freedom to choose without any obligations, but after this proposal, that's out too. Because this proposal removes any ambiguity about where Cihan's heart truly belongs. Disregarding his feelings now would be equal to disregarding the choice he's already made. Remember how she asks Cihan why no one is asking her what she wants when they're on the Firat trip? She's not about to do the same to Cihan. Now, let's focus on why she'd stay. One, she has Deniz's custody, so there's nothing pulling her in two opposite directions now. Plus, she's certain now that Cihan will go to any lengths to keep her and Deniz safe. Two, Cihan's increasing emotional transparency. We've seen this before in ep26-27. The more Cihan opens up to Alya, the more comfortable she becomes in her own skin. And, this time, Cihan's being very open about what Alya means to him and how Meryem is a shadow of the past that no longer belongs anywhere in his life. Three, her own love for Cihan is a determining factor. Alya loves Cihan enough to stay with him despite Mine wielding Boran's parentage over their heads. She gives up Deniz's location to save Cihan. She donates her kidney to ensure nothing happens to him. She risks saving Cihan from a car that's about to explode - you get the picture. And four, Alya's growing ability to read Sadakat's moves. S1 Alya reacted to Sadakat. S2 Alya observes and picks her battles. She already suspects Sadakat is up to something that includes Meryem, so she's on her guard. Which means Alya refusing to leave this time will break the wheel. Cihan's last wedding witnessed a bride too weak to fight for her love (apparently) and thus lost the opportunity to be with him. Alya's done nothing but fight to be with Cihan. There's a reason why Cihan's proposal includes the words, "You had a hundred thousand reasons to leave me… but you stayed." That line isn’t there to foreshadow Alya finally walking away. It’s there to underline that Alya has already been tested over and over again - by Sadakat, by Mine, by Boran, by Meryem, by danger, by fear, by the chaos surrounding Cihan. Yet, every single time, she still gravitates back to him. That's the way I see it anyways. Guess we'll find out 😉 #CihAl #UzakŞehir

CocoLoco

16,681 Aufrufe • vor 3 Monaten

Cihan and Alya have kissed a total of four times, but this kiss right here is different. The first time they kiss, it's Cihan taking the initiative to confess his love. The second and third times both are a form of comfort and support from Alya to Cihan and Cihan to Alya. This kiss? It's has nothing to do with declarations, comfort, or relief. This kiss is pure want. On both sides. Despite the zombie. This scene doesn't get enough credit beyond the actual kiss (which is amazing). This isn’t intimacy born from circumstance — it’s born from desire, from surrender, from truth. For Cihan, who has recently been hesitating to even touch Alya, this kiss and going in for a second is a sign. His guilt is weakening if not almost overtaken by his love. And for Alya, I mean this woman just risked her life for Cihan. Her love is beyond question. But she wants closeness too 🥹😏 #CihAl #UzakŞehir
1:05

Sensitive content

Cihan and Alya have kissed a total of four times, but this kiss right here is different. The first time they kiss, it's Cihan taking the initiative to confess his love. The second and third times both are a form of comfort and support from Alya to Cihan and Cihan to Alya. This kiss? It's has nothing to do with declarations, comfort, or relief. This kiss is pure want. On both sides. Despite the zombie. This scene doesn't get enough credit beyond the actual kiss (which is amazing). This isn’t intimacy born from circumstance — it’s born from desire, from surrender, from truth. For Cihan, who has recently been hesitating to even touch Alya, this kiss and going in for a second is a sign. His guilt is weakening if not almost overtaken by his love. And for Alya, I mean this woman just risked her life for Cihan. Her love is beyond question. But she wants closeness too 🥹😏 #CihAl #UzakŞehir

CocoLoco

13,834 Aufrufe • vor 10 Monaten

Alrighty. I don't know about you, but this scene was one of my favorites from ep 23. But, it's been overlooked. It's a heart-to-heart between cihan and fiko. And, it adds fiko among the people who truly know what cihan feels for alya. I love the fact that fiko starts the conversation with 'will you always live like this?' Because that's what the viewers have been thinking since alya and cihan got married. Sure, it's a marriage of convenience of sorts, but any blind person can tell you they love each other. But, cihan is holding back because of boran and maybe in some small part due to his promise to alya. However, to fiko, it seems ridiculous because she can see that the whole arrangement is already tearing at the seams. When fiko makes it obvious there's no point in hiding things from her, because she sees the two of them too clearly, cihan tells her about his agreement with alya. Then comes my favorite part. Fiko says 'don't let go of my daughter's hand, not now or in the future.' That's her way of saying, make it real, make this marriage real. Live what you two feel for each other. And, there's no judgment in her tone or words. Then she makes cihan promise (he agrees all too readily) that how he knows alya and the place she occupies in his heart will never change even by a milimeter in the future. That's her way of telling him, I know you love her. And, his silence is agreement. For those of us forever wondering what cihan feels for alya, here's your answer. He never objects or says he doesn't love her when sado, nare, or fiko confront him with his feelings. And, then fiko tells him to trust his feelings. HOW GOOD WAS IT TO HEAR THAT? Because all he hears from his witch of a mother is he can't have feelings for alya because of boran. But, here's another mother telling him, it's okay to feel what you feel. Trust your love for alya, let it guide you. Then she tells him to trust alya always, no matter what. Why? Because trust and respect are the foundations of love. I love this woman. I do. I hope fiko becomes a permanent fixture in this series. She then rounds of the conversation by repeating 'don't let go of her hand, stand with her always.' Aka, always love alya, always support her, be the shelter she's always wanted but never found. When cihan inquires why she's suddenly talking so openly, she answers life is uncertain. And, like any good mother, she wants to ensure her daughter is in good hands before it's her time to go. She says she wants to entrust her pure-hearted daughter to him and how does ciho respond? He says 'let there be no doubt in your mind.' That's not just taking up a promise. That's a declaration of intent. That's him saying, I'll look after the bird in my hands all my life. Because he loves her too, just like the woman sitting in front of him. This scene was such a sincere exchange of feelings. Both ciho and fiko are conversing without any diversion, without any artifice. It brings the both of them peace, in different ways. It assures fiko that her daughter will be happy with this man. And it assures cihan that his feelings aren't some kind of sin. He loves alya, and it's okay to act on that love. Brilliant, brilliant scene. Brilliant acting. I absolutely loved it!!! #CihAl #UzakŞehir
2:23

Alrighty. I don't know about you, but this scene was one of my favorites from ep 23. But, it's been overlooked. It's a heart-to-heart between cihan and fiko. And, it adds fiko among the people who truly know what cihan feels for alya. I love the fact that fiko starts the conversation with 'will you always live like this?' Because that's what the viewers have been thinking since alya and cihan got married. Sure, it's a marriage of convenience of sorts, but any blind person can tell you they love each other. But, cihan is holding back because of boran and maybe in some small part due to his promise to alya. However, to fiko, it seems ridiculous because she can see that the whole arrangement is already tearing at the seams. When fiko makes it obvious there's no point in hiding things from her, because she sees the two of them too clearly, cihan tells her about his agreement with alya. Then comes my favorite part. Fiko says 'don't let go of my daughter's hand, not now or in the future.' That's her way of saying, make it real, make this marriage real. Live what you two feel for each other. And, there's no judgment in her tone or words. Then she makes cihan promise (he agrees all too readily) that how he knows alya and the place she occupies in his heart will never change even by a milimeter in the future. That's her way of telling him, I know you love her. And, his silence is agreement. For those of us forever wondering what cihan feels for alya, here's your answer. He never objects or says he doesn't love her when sado, nare, or fiko confront him with his feelings. And, then fiko tells him to trust his feelings. HOW GOOD WAS IT TO HEAR THAT? Because all he hears from his witch of a mother is he can't have feelings for alya because of boran. But, here's another mother telling him, it's okay to feel what you feel. Trust your love for alya, let it guide you. Then she tells him to trust alya always, no matter what. Why? Because trust and respect are the foundations of love. I love this woman. I do. I hope fiko becomes a permanent fixture in this series. She then rounds of the conversation by repeating 'don't let go of her hand, stand with her always.' Aka, always love alya, always support her, be the shelter she's always wanted but never found. When cihan inquires why she's suddenly talking so openly, she answers life is uncertain. And, like any good mother, she wants to ensure her daughter is in good hands before it's her time to go. She says she wants to entrust her pure-hearted daughter to him and how does ciho respond? He says 'let there be no doubt in your mind.' That's not just taking up a promise. That's a declaration of intent. That's him saying, I'll look after the bird in my hands all my life. Because he loves her too, just like the woman sitting in front of him. This scene was such a sincere exchange of feelings. Both ciho and fiko are conversing without any diversion, without any artifice. It brings the both of them peace, in different ways. It assures fiko that her daughter will be happy with this man. And it assures cihan that his feelings aren't some kind of sin. He loves alya, and it's okay to act on that love. Brilliant, brilliant scene. Brilliant acting. I absolutely loved it!!! #CihAl #UzakŞehir

CocoLoco

27,050 Aufrufe • vor 1 Jahr

Analyzing Episode 35. Season 2 aka Turning the Tables Alrighty, let's do this. Episode 35 was one of the strongest episodes of season 2, I think, because we get to see Ciho and Alya kind of switch places, for once. In s1, Alya would mostly pick flight when her feelings got overwhelming. Whereas Ciho, with his Ağa mindset, would inevitably choose to fight. But, unlike in s1, the circumstances are unique. We see the tables turn because Alya probably hasn't loved anyone before like she loves Cihan, and Cihan hasn't ever come across a test as heavy as the half-alive Boran. So, essentially, they're both out of their comfort zones. Let's discuss Alya first. My love for this character just keeps growing. I've yet to see someone be as principled and willing to break the rules, as strong and soft at the same time, as Alya Albora. The woman is a marvel. We must protect her at all costs (Get in line, Ciho). As the episode begins, Alya walks off to their room and proceeds to lock herself in Cihan's study after informing everyone about Cihan's not-so-tiny health problem. I think being the smart cookie she is, she realizes early on that Cihan will be his stubborn self about the surgery business, which is why something of a plan is already forming in her head. When Cihan shows up to talk, Alya doesn't back down from telling him she knows exactly why he's walking to almost certain death. Still, she only brings out the big guns after pleading with him to review his decision doesn't work. Her goal isn't to hurt him. It's to save him. To shock him enough to wake from the limbo Cihan has isolated himself in. When her words fail to achieve their target, she acts. I'm pretty damn sure she knows exactly what she's going to do as she's packing her clothes to leave the mansion. Alya refuses to leave Cihan's side even in the worst of circumstances, so her walking out when he's about to risk his life is completely out of character. And not only that, before leaving, she tells Cihan she doesn't want to talk to him or see him until he changes his mind about becoming the donor. See? Smart. She's doing everything she can to keep him from monitoring her movements (like he generally does :D). She's learned to read her husband, so much so that she turns his tactics on him. And Cihan never picks up on it. And watching her in action is poetry in motion - beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. Because this time, the one person she can always count on for support isn't with her. She's fighting for Cihan, for their love, all on her own. Even though they promise each other they'd face whatever obstacles come their way together as they leave the airport in ep 29. While everyone gathers to wish Cihan well before the operation, Alya walks through those corridors alone. She has no one to calm her fears, no one to soothe her brow. No one tells her they'll be praying for her quick recovery. And that hurts like a son of a bitch. Because Alya has such a capacity for love and giving, she doesn't hesitate to take huge risks for the people she loves. On the other hand, she has no one other than Cihan to do the same for her. He's her other half. And there's no way in hell she'd stand back and watch him destroy himself. Her devotion and resolve are crystal clear when she speaks to Cihan while he's sedated. Still, I think some of her loneliness and desperation bleeds through her words to her husband. Almost as if something deep inside her cries out for him to wake up and choose her - like she's choosing him. Over everyone. Even her own life. Speaking of choosing, let's pause here and pivot to Cihan Bey. Cihan, like all of us, is a product of his upbringing, his environment, and his personal beliefs. Two of those three things are extremely toxic and warped. Not to mention, the guilt that's eating him alive is a product of those two things. They say when you're undergoing feelings of intense guilt, you tend to fluctuate between two states - suppression and surrender. When you suppress, you tell yourself you're fine. Everything's okay. Things are best this way type of stuff. In fact, I want you to remember this phrase. Then, there's surrender - moments of lucidity where you realize you're falling apart, that this isn't what you want at all. You're flooded by emotions and longing about what you're denying yourself. And that's something you see in Cihan over and over in this episode. He keeps fluctuating from one state to the other, and I don't think he even realizes what he's about to do to himself and Alya by wanting to go through with that operation. Take the scene where they're talking in their room before Alya leaves. On the one hand, Cihan tells Alya he has responsibilities to his family, and on the other, he can't see how his decision will affect Alya and Deniz. Then, when Cihan tries talking to Alya when he's driving her to work, he tells her he doesn't want to sacrifice their love, but in the next instance, he tells her he won't lose her 'in his heart' even if Boran wakes up. You see the inconsistency? He keeps switching between what he truly wants and the things might be best this way mindset. Surrender and suppression. Like when he keeps seeking her out at every turn, but insists on undergoing a surgery that will almost certainly kill him. The guilt inside him builds like pressure almost. He tries to suppress it until it spills over, revealing his true feelings, then he panics and moves back to suppression again. This keeps repeating until he wakes up to discover that Alya is the one undergoing the surgery. That's when the cycle finally breaks. Because when he's faced with the reality of losing Alya forever, he finally accepts the core truth driving his guilt - he fell in love with his brother's wife. Sure, he thinks Boran is dead and gone when it happens, but guilt doesn't really follow logic. That's why Alya being the donor and almost losing her life forces him to accept the love he feels for Alya is part of him now. There is no fighting it, there is no changing it. There is only accepting it. And his speech to Boran before he sees Alya is proof of his surrender. Because he finally admits that his bond with Alya isn't about choice anymore, he doesn't control the love; it controls him now. In front of Boran, no less. He finally looks his guilt in the face and starts to overcome it. That's why we see him initiating the kiss in their room. He's not overcome by self-reproach when he thinks of touching Alya intimately now. All very, very positive signs. And, let's not forget, when he sees his entire family conspired behind his back to allow Alya to be the donor, he understands another sold truth. He is the only family Alya has apart from Deniz. Which makes Alya's sacrifice all the more powerful. Because he realizes that she kept her part of the bargain. She kept fighting for them, even when he didn't. Hopefully, this is the moment where Cihan stops running and starts choosing. Alya didn’t just save his life physically; she forced him to confront the part of himself he kept buried. And now that he’s finally surrendered to that truth, we’re about to see the version of Cihan who fights for love instead of resisting it. Till next time, happy reading, y'all. #CihAl #UzakŞehir
4:55

Analyzing Episode 35. Season 2 aka Turning the Tables Alrighty, let's do this. Episode 35 was one of the strongest episodes of season 2, I think, because we get to see Ciho and Alya kind of switch places, for once. In s1, Alya would mostly pick flight when her feelings got overwhelming. Whereas Ciho, with his Ağa mindset, would inevitably choose to fight. But, unlike in s1, the circumstances are unique. We see the tables turn because Alya probably hasn't loved anyone before like she loves Cihan, and Cihan hasn't ever come across a test as heavy as the half-alive Boran. So, essentially, they're both out of their comfort zones. Let's discuss Alya first. My love for this character just keeps growing. I've yet to see someone be as principled and willing to break the rules, as strong and soft at the same time, as Alya Albora. The woman is a marvel. We must protect her at all costs (Get in line, Ciho). As the episode begins, Alya walks off to their room and proceeds to lock herself in Cihan's study after informing everyone about Cihan's not-so-tiny health problem. I think being the smart cookie she is, she realizes early on that Cihan will be his stubborn self about the surgery business, which is why something of a plan is already forming in her head. When Cihan shows up to talk, Alya doesn't back down from telling him she knows exactly why he's walking to almost certain death. Still, she only brings out the big guns after pleading with him to review his decision doesn't work. Her goal isn't to hurt him. It's to save him. To shock him enough to wake from the limbo Cihan has isolated himself in. When her words fail to achieve their target, she acts. I'm pretty damn sure she knows exactly what she's going to do as she's packing her clothes to leave the mansion. Alya refuses to leave Cihan's side even in the worst of circumstances, so her walking out when he's about to risk his life is completely out of character. And not only that, before leaving, she tells Cihan she doesn't want to talk to him or see him until he changes his mind about becoming the donor. See? Smart. She's doing everything she can to keep him from monitoring her movements (like he generally does :D). She's learned to read her husband, so much so that she turns his tactics on him. And Cihan never picks up on it. And watching her in action is poetry in motion - beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. Because this time, the one person she can always count on for support isn't with her. She's fighting for Cihan, for their love, all on her own. Even though they promise each other they'd face whatever obstacles come their way together as they leave the airport in ep 29. While everyone gathers to wish Cihan well before the operation, Alya walks through those corridors alone. She has no one to calm her fears, no one to soothe her brow. No one tells her they'll be praying for her quick recovery. And that hurts like a son of a bitch. Because Alya has such a capacity for love and giving, she doesn't hesitate to take huge risks for the people she loves. On the other hand, she has no one other than Cihan to do the same for her. He's her other half. And there's no way in hell she'd stand back and watch him destroy himself. Her devotion and resolve are crystal clear when she speaks to Cihan while he's sedated. Still, I think some of her loneliness and desperation bleeds through her words to her husband. Almost as if something deep inside her cries out for him to wake up and choose her - like she's choosing him. Over everyone. Even her own life. Speaking of choosing, let's pause here and pivot to Cihan Bey. Cihan, like all of us, is a product of his upbringing, his environment, and his personal beliefs. Two of those three things are extremely toxic and warped. Not to mention, the guilt that's eating him alive is a product of those two things. They say when you're undergoing feelings of intense guilt, you tend to fluctuate between two states - suppression and surrender. When you suppress, you tell yourself you're fine. Everything's okay. Things are best this way type of stuff. In fact, I want you to remember this phrase. Then, there's surrender - moments of lucidity where you realize you're falling apart, that this isn't what you want at all. You're flooded by emotions and longing about what you're denying yourself. And that's something you see in Cihan over and over in this episode. He keeps fluctuating from one state to the other, and I don't think he even realizes what he's about to do to himself and Alya by wanting to go through with that operation. Take the scene where they're talking in their room before Alya leaves. On the one hand, Cihan tells Alya he has responsibilities to his family, and on the other, he can't see how his decision will affect Alya and Deniz. Then, when Cihan tries talking to Alya when he's driving her to work, he tells her he doesn't want to sacrifice their love, but in the next instance, he tells her he won't lose her 'in his heart' even if Boran wakes up. You see the inconsistency? He keeps switching between what he truly wants and the things might be best this way mindset. Surrender and suppression. Like when he keeps seeking her out at every turn, but insists on undergoing a surgery that will almost certainly kill him. The guilt inside him builds like pressure almost. He tries to suppress it until it spills over, revealing his true feelings, then he panics and moves back to suppression again. This keeps repeating until he wakes up to discover that Alya is the one undergoing the surgery. That's when the cycle finally breaks. Because when he's faced with the reality of losing Alya forever, he finally accepts the core truth driving his guilt - he fell in love with his brother's wife. Sure, he thinks Boran is dead and gone when it happens, but guilt doesn't really follow logic. That's why Alya being the donor and almost losing her life forces him to accept the love he feels for Alya is part of him now. There is no fighting it, there is no changing it. There is only accepting it. And his speech to Boran before he sees Alya is proof of his surrender. Because he finally admits that his bond with Alya isn't about choice anymore, he doesn't control the love; it controls him now. In front of Boran, no less. He finally looks his guilt in the face and starts to overcome it. That's why we see him initiating the kiss in their room. He's not overcome by self-reproach when he thinks of touching Alya intimately now. All very, very positive signs. And, let's not forget, when he sees his entire family conspired behind his back to allow Alya to be the donor, he understands another sold truth. He is the only family Alya has apart from Deniz. Which makes Alya's sacrifice all the more powerful. Because he realizes that she kept her part of the bargain. She kept fighting for them, even when he didn't. Hopefully, this is the moment where Cihan stops running and starts choosing. Alya didn’t just save his life physically; she forced him to confront the part of himself he kept buried. And now that he’s finally surrendered to that truth, we’re about to see the version of Cihan who fights for love instead of resisting it. Till next time, happy reading, y'all. #CihAl #UzakŞehir

CocoLoco

26,299 Aufrufe • vor 10 Monaten

Analyzing Episode 56. Season 2 aka Processing the Past Despite all the prophecies of doom, episode 56 was a delightful watch. The episode begins with Alya walking into prison, only to discover Meryem holding hands with Ciho. And, the way that entire scene is depicted, it's designed to make the audience see things from Alya's pov. Because we know not a few moments earlier, Cihan tells Meryem she should leave Mardin because there's nothing left for her there. However, from Alya's viewpoint, it seems like the past is repeating itself in the way she finds out about Mine and even Boran. Though this time, there's a slight difference because instead of following Cihan and discovering the truth herself, it's Boran who frames reality in the worst possible way. Still, Cihan and Alya's reactions differ slightly at this instance. For example, Alya's anger, while boiling at that moment, diffuses much quicker. And, while she doubts the reason Cihan keeps Meryem's presence from her, she doesn't start doubting their love. That fortress remains strong. Likewise, any time Cihan is discovered by Alya lying to her, he displays this vibe of embarrassment. You know, like wearing the expression of a kid caught doing something he shouldn't have been doing. But this time, when he rushes after Alya, there's a certain assurance in his gait. It's not overt, mind you, because Cihan knows he's in hot water. But it's almost like this time, he's sure of himself because his feelings in the matter are clear. He hides the truth for two reasons: he's protecting himself and Alya. The former because he doesn't want Alya pulling back from him at a time when she's already forced to leave the konak, and the latter because he doesn't want the spectre of Meryem to hurt her in any way. But the part I really liked in this while sequence? Alya's car breaking down. There are always moments in CihAl's story where you see some external force intervening to move their story forward. For example, the way the roads are blocked in ep42. In this episode, fate intervenes yet again, and the message is clear. Don't run from the past; face it. That message is compounded when Boran shows up on the same road to see the fruits of his labor. In the last few episodes, Alya's reactions to Boran seem to have intensified. I don't know why that is, but it seems like Alya's anger seems to be taking over her despair. To the point where Cihan becomes the one to hold Alya back, which, in my opinion, is a good thing. Anger can be cleansing, unlike passivity. And it seems the days of Alya quietly listening to Boran's BS are finally ending. Anyway, the scene moves on to Cihan driving Alya to a remote location to talk things over, which I kind of liked. I prefer when these two go far away from the maddening crowd to iron out their differences. And note, whenever that happens, they happen to be in a location that has a bird's-eye view of the scene below. Kind of like how you try to take in the bigger picture - another nice subliminal message. Cihan kicks off the conversation by saying Boran is trying to cloud Alya's mind, to which Alya responds adequately by saying the only thing messing with her mind is Cihan's attempts to lie because Boran no longer holds any importance for her. Is that true? I think so. Because even though Alya and Cihan are talking about a highly volatile topic, they're relatively calm. Accusations don't fly about either. And, I liked the fact that Alya openly tells Cihan that his trying to keep her in the dark, even to protect her, is what ends up hurting her the most. Because that is the truth. Cihan's reasoning as to why he keeps Meryem's presence from her in this scene is incomplete. He does want to protect Alya from the pain his past includes, but that's only half the reason. The bigger reason is he's trying to do his damnedest to keep Alya with him. He's already failed to try to keep her with him at the konak, but an emotional distance would likely finish him off. Which is why the talk CihAl have at Alya's apartment is so important. When Meryem calls, Cihan stops Alya from leaving the room - which sets the tone of the conversation. When Cihan relates the story of what Meryem has gone through, Alya's reaction is just what's to be expected. She's empathetic towards her plight, of being forced, of facing violence, because while Alya's lucky enough to find love with Cihan, she understands only too well how women are made to feel helpless and powerless. There's this expression on Cihan's face that can only be described as astonishment. Because, despite Alya's past, what she's gone through in Mardin, and despite Cihan's own stupidities, she finds it in her heart to feel for another woman she wouldn't be wrong to feel threatened by. And that's one of the things he is so in love with about Alya. Her compassion. When Cihan says he feels responsible for all that's gone wrong in Meryem's life since that fateful day, Alya asks him why he felt the need to hide things yet again. But this time, the whole truth comes out. Cihan admits he was afraid of her pulling back from him even more. Another thing to note, Alya refers to Meryem as Cihan's first love, not only love. So, she's not doubtful of his feelings for her. What's scary to Alya is how much of a hold those old feelings still have over Cihan. The good news from that point on is that Cihan doesn't keep anything from Alya regarding Meryem again. That includes him trying to send her to Istanbul to set up a new life for her. The scene ends on a relatively happier note of disaster averted. And Cihan and Alya both look better after talking it out. Still, as the viewers, we know that Alya's fear hasn't been defeated, just delayed. And until Cihan gives Alya the kind of resolution she gives him with Boran, it will keep pushing her away from him, like a self-fulfilling prophecy. Now, the next scene I want to talk about is the scene where Cihan and Kaya talk at the tavern/bar. I loved that entire sequence because we keep transitioning between Cihan's focus on Alya (his future) and Alya's focus on Cihan's past. When Kaya asks Cihan how he could fall for Alya after claiming to love Meryem, when Kaya and Sahin kept waiting/fighting for their respective loves, Cihan's answer reveals one of the reasons his past has sprung up on him, because he still doesn't get it. He says he loved Meryem, was tested by that love, gained experience from it, which prepared him to fight tooth and nail for Alya. He's partially right. Yes, the past and its challenges prepared him and chiseled his determination to fight for Alya. But, he's confused about loving someone and being in love with someone. He is so in love with Alya, he's overcome when he's trying to explain the emotion. True love, the deep, enduring, transformational kind, doesn't ever fade. Almost like it's a state of permanent being, because it survives time, distance, and yes, even death. If what you think love is weakens, is downgraded, moves from the heart to merely the realm of responsibility, it's not the 'love' that mankind has written sonnets about, that people dream about, that lovers die for. Because true love doesn't change, doesn't disappear, or relocate itself into something smaller. If it does, it was never that to begin with. Yes, people can love multiple times. But that feeling of being in love, that one love that trumps everything else, is another kettle of fish entirely. And, according to Cihan's own words, his love for Alya is the kind of thing he's never experienced before. Its weighty and rooted so deeply inside him, it's impossible to escape or forget. So, yes, Ciho is partially right to say that what he experienced with Meryem helped ready the man who'd love and fight for Alya like never before, but he's wrong to think that those feelings can be categorized under the heading 'love.' Since Cihan and Alya's story deals with balance, equality, and symmetry, it's unlikely that Alya's past would reveal she never loved Boran, whereas Cihan's past would be something like oh she prepared me for the future. In fact, I suspect it's a little of both for Cihan and Alya. As in, both Boran and Meryem paved the way to their actual true love, and yes, neither of them truly loved their exes. Not to mention, Boran has exposed himself completely, and Meryem's giving off bad vibes already. Alya understood that early on because of what Boran does to her. Cihan is about to learn. Which is why stories ever truly drag the past into the present anyway, because there's a truth, a lesson, a resolution hidden within, after which, the past can finally be buried and be left behind. So, to me, the vibe of ep56 is - processing the past. Looking at it, dealing with it, but most of all, facing it head-on. Essentially, we're seeing Alya and Cihan inch towards clarity now that both pasts are back in their lives at the same time. There’s still a final understanding waiting to click into place, for CihAl, about what love truly is and what it never was. And once that realization lands, the past won’t just be faced… it will lose its hold altogether. #CihAl #UzakŞehir
2:34

Analyzing Episode 56. Season 2 aka Processing the Past Despite all the prophecies of doom, episode 56 was a delightful watch. The episode begins with Alya walking into prison, only to discover Meryem holding hands with Ciho. And, the way that entire scene is depicted, it's designed to make the audience see things from Alya's pov. Because we know not a few moments earlier, Cihan tells Meryem she should leave Mardin because there's nothing left for her there. However, from Alya's viewpoint, it seems like the past is repeating itself in the way she finds out about Mine and even Boran. Though this time, there's a slight difference because instead of following Cihan and discovering the truth herself, it's Boran who frames reality in the worst possible way. Still, Cihan and Alya's reactions differ slightly at this instance. For example, Alya's anger, while boiling at that moment, diffuses much quicker. And, while she doubts the reason Cihan keeps Meryem's presence from her, she doesn't start doubting their love. That fortress remains strong. Likewise, any time Cihan is discovered by Alya lying to her, he displays this vibe of embarrassment. You know, like wearing the expression of a kid caught doing something he shouldn't have been doing. But this time, when he rushes after Alya, there's a certain assurance in his gait. It's not overt, mind you, because Cihan knows he's in hot water. But it's almost like this time, he's sure of himself because his feelings in the matter are clear. He hides the truth for two reasons: he's protecting himself and Alya. The former because he doesn't want Alya pulling back from him at a time when she's already forced to leave the konak, and the latter because he doesn't want the spectre of Meryem to hurt her in any way. But the part I really liked in this while sequence? Alya's car breaking down. There are always moments in CihAl's story where you see some external force intervening to move their story forward. For example, the way the roads are blocked in ep42. In this episode, fate intervenes yet again, and the message is clear. Don't run from the past; face it. That message is compounded when Boran shows up on the same road to see the fruits of his labor. In the last few episodes, Alya's reactions to Boran seem to have intensified. I don't know why that is, but it seems like Alya's anger seems to be taking over her despair. To the point where Cihan becomes the one to hold Alya back, which, in my opinion, is a good thing. Anger can be cleansing, unlike passivity. And it seems the days of Alya quietly listening to Boran's BS are finally ending. Anyway, the scene moves on to Cihan driving Alya to a remote location to talk things over, which I kind of liked. I prefer when these two go far away from the maddening crowd to iron out their differences. And note, whenever that happens, they happen to be in a location that has a bird's-eye view of the scene below. Kind of like how you try to take in the bigger picture - another nice subliminal message. Cihan kicks off the conversation by saying Boran is trying to cloud Alya's mind, to which Alya responds adequately by saying the only thing messing with her mind is Cihan's attempts to lie because Boran no longer holds any importance for her. Is that true? I think so. Because even though Alya and Cihan are talking about a highly volatile topic, they're relatively calm. Accusations don't fly about either. And, I liked the fact that Alya openly tells Cihan that his trying to keep her in the dark, even to protect her, is what ends up hurting her the most. Because that is the truth. Cihan's reasoning as to why he keeps Meryem's presence from her in this scene is incomplete. He does want to protect Alya from the pain his past includes, but that's only half the reason. The bigger reason is he's trying to do his damnedest to keep Alya with him. He's already failed to try to keep her with him at the konak, but an emotional distance would likely finish him off. Which is why the talk CihAl have at Alya's apartment is so important. When Meryem calls, Cihan stops Alya from leaving the room - which sets the tone of the conversation. When Cihan relates the story of what Meryem has gone through, Alya's reaction is just what's to be expected. She's empathetic towards her plight, of being forced, of facing violence, because while Alya's lucky enough to find love with Cihan, she understands only too well how women are made to feel helpless and powerless. There's this expression on Cihan's face that can only be described as astonishment. Because, despite Alya's past, what she's gone through in Mardin, and despite Cihan's own stupidities, she finds it in her heart to feel for another woman she wouldn't be wrong to feel threatened by. And that's one of the things he is so in love with about Alya. Her compassion. When Cihan says he feels responsible for all that's gone wrong in Meryem's life since that fateful day, Alya asks him why he felt the need to hide things yet again. But this time, the whole truth comes out. Cihan admits he was afraid of her pulling back from him even more. Another thing to note, Alya refers to Meryem as Cihan's first love, not only love. So, she's not doubtful of his feelings for her. What's scary to Alya is how much of a hold those old feelings still have over Cihan. The good news from that point on is that Cihan doesn't keep anything from Alya regarding Meryem again. That includes him trying to send her to Istanbul to set up a new life for her. The scene ends on a relatively happier note of disaster averted. And Cihan and Alya both look better after talking it out. Still, as the viewers, we know that Alya's fear hasn't been defeated, just delayed. And until Cihan gives Alya the kind of resolution she gives him with Boran, it will keep pushing her away from him, like a self-fulfilling prophecy. Now, the next scene I want to talk about is the scene where Cihan and Kaya talk at the tavern/bar. I loved that entire sequence because we keep transitioning between Cihan's focus on Alya (his future) and Alya's focus on Cihan's past. When Kaya asks Cihan how he could fall for Alya after claiming to love Meryem, when Kaya and Sahin kept waiting/fighting for their respective loves, Cihan's answer reveals one of the reasons his past has sprung up on him, because he still doesn't get it. He says he loved Meryem, was tested by that love, gained experience from it, which prepared him to fight tooth and nail for Alya. He's partially right. Yes, the past and its challenges prepared him and chiseled his determination to fight for Alya. But, he's confused about loving someone and being in love with someone. He is so in love with Alya, he's overcome when he's trying to explain the emotion. True love, the deep, enduring, transformational kind, doesn't ever fade. Almost like it's a state of permanent being, because it survives time, distance, and yes, even death. If what you think love is weakens, is downgraded, moves from the heart to merely the realm of responsibility, it's not the 'love' that mankind has written sonnets about, that people dream about, that lovers die for. Because true love doesn't change, doesn't disappear, or relocate itself into something smaller. If it does, it was never that to begin with. Yes, people can love multiple times. But that feeling of being in love, that one love that trumps everything else, is another kettle of fish entirely. And, according to Cihan's own words, his love for Alya is the kind of thing he's never experienced before. Its weighty and rooted so deeply inside him, it's impossible to escape or forget. So, yes, Ciho is partially right to say that what he experienced with Meryem helped ready the man who'd love and fight for Alya like never before, but he's wrong to think that those feelings can be categorized under the heading 'love.' Since Cihan and Alya's story deals with balance, equality, and symmetry, it's unlikely that Alya's past would reveal she never loved Boran, whereas Cihan's past would be something like oh she prepared me for the future. In fact, I suspect it's a little of both for Cihan and Alya. As in, both Boran and Meryem paved the way to their actual true love, and yes, neither of them truly loved their exes. Not to mention, Boran has exposed himself completely, and Meryem's giving off bad vibes already. Alya understood that early on because of what Boran does to her. Cihan is about to learn. Which is why stories ever truly drag the past into the present anyway, because there's a truth, a lesson, a resolution hidden within, after which, the past can finally be buried and be left behind. So, to me, the vibe of ep56 is - processing the past. Looking at it, dealing with it, but most of all, facing it head-on. Essentially, we're seeing Alya and Cihan inch towards clarity now that both pasts are back in their lives at the same time. There’s still a final understanding waiting to click into place, for CihAl, about what love truly is and what it never was. And once that realization lands, the past won’t just be faced… it will lose its hold altogether. #CihAl #UzakŞehir

CocoLoco

21,239 Aufrufe • vor 4 Monaten

I think CihAl's consummation (or whatever else you'd like to call it) scene is probably one of the most well-thought-out ones of the series. It's perfect for Alya and Cihan's characters. And, if you watch the build-up, you can pinpoint where both decide to take their relationship to the next step. Let's start with my baby girl. Alya makes up her mind that she's done minding the distance between Cihan and herself pretty early on after she enters her room. The way she turns and looks back at the door with a half-smile. Then the camera pans in on the liquor, almost as if to say, she's thinking maybe she needs a little fortitude. And in the next room, Cihan is going through the same restlessness, almost like he's chomping at the bit too, but can't bring himself to act on what he's thinking. Next up, Alya downs some liquid courage and fills her glass again, almost as if a plan's forming in her head. And when she walks out of her room, she pauses, staring at Cihan's door. Eventually, she decides against it because, like the queen she is, she wants a neutral setting, not to overwhelm Cihan, but to engage Cihan's caution, and to see if he's ready to leave it behind. A broken vase later, when Cihan finally descends the steps to go to his wife, Alya gives him a very unconvincing performance of drunkenness. She wants to invite him to sit with her and iron a few things out between them. This is where her playacting is important because it gives them both protection. If Cihan isn't ready to move forward, she can retreat with her dignity, and he wouldn't have to feel pressured or remorseful. But, Cihan, being the brainiac he is, understands his wife is up to something. And, of course, he wants her like crazy, too, so he decides to play along while upping the ante a little - which is why he offers to carry her to her room. Her room. Not his. Because no matter what transpires, his priority is her comfort. So, up they go, and when he lays her down on her bed, Alya pulls him to sit next to her, and switches to phase two. Remember when I said she doesn't want to override him? Her sequence of questions is a gentle attempt to determine if she's read him correctly. That his guilt is no longer the determining factor in their relationship, without triggering any resentment. Why are we staying in separate rooms? Aren't we married? Don't you love me? Don't I love you? Aren't you my husband? Am I not your wife? Then why are we sleeping in separate beds? See? It's a logical dismantling of the remaining distance between them. And every time Cihan answers, it gives her more courage to move forward, it gives her more hope. Cihan isn't being led; he's an active participant, and he is choosing to be. Step by step, to move forward with Alya, by staying in the conversation, to meet her halfway. Then comes the cute nose-rubbing session, and you can see Cihan wants to give in. But old habits die hard, so he has to be sure. Did you drink too much he asks, and that's when Alya gives up her game. Because she's sure too. She tells him how she only drank one glass of wine and how she broke that vase on purpose. Because when they're so close to the brink, she lays all her cards on the table, like always. It isn't like her to hide. And when Cihan brings the topic back to her drunkenness again, that's him proceeding with care. Baby steps. This is his life we're talking about... I mean, his wife. So, Alya Hanim takes up the challenge and asks, 'Would I only want to when I'm drunk?' things are clear as day. The proverbial bulb goes on in Ciho's head. His 'I don't know, maybe' is him being coy, like the imp he is. But all that playfulness goes out the window when his wife says, 'Wouldn't you like to find out?' I think Alya may have managed to give Cihan a mini heart attack with those words, because his answer is so faint, it's laughable. From that point on, it's all engines go for both of them. They're sure now, their minds and hearts are on the same page. After that, it's all love, desire, flirtatiousness, playful goading, and everything that's quintessentially CihAl. Brilliantly written and masterfully portrayed. #CihAl #UzakŞehir
2:58

I think CihAl's consummation (or whatever else you'd like to call it) scene is probably one of the most well-thought-out ones of the series. It's perfect for Alya and Cihan's characters. And, if you watch the build-up, you can pinpoint where both decide to take their relationship to the next step. Let's start with my baby girl. Alya makes up her mind that she's done minding the distance between Cihan and herself pretty early on after she enters her room. The way she turns and looks back at the door with a half-smile. Then the camera pans in on the liquor, almost as if to say, she's thinking maybe she needs a little fortitude. And in the next room, Cihan is going through the same restlessness, almost like he's chomping at the bit too, but can't bring himself to act on what he's thinking. Next up, Alya downs some liquid courage and fills her glass again, almost as if a plan's forming in her head. And when she walks out of her room, she pauses, staring at Cihan's door. Eventually, she decides against it because, like the queen she is, she wants a neutral setting, not to overwhelm Cihan, but to engage Cihan's caution, and to see if he's ready to leave it behind. A broken vase later, when Cihan finally descends the steps to go to his wife, Alya gives him a very unconvincing performance of drunkenness. She wants to invite him to sit with her and iron a few things out between them. This is where her playacting is important because it gives them both protection. If Cihan isn't ready to move forward, she can retreat with her dignity, and he wouldn't have to feel pressured or remorseful. But, Cihan, being the brainiac he is, understands his wife is up to something. And, of course, he wants her like crazy, too, so he decides to play along while upping the ante a little - which is why he offers to carry her to her room. Her room. Not his. Because no matter what transpires, his priority is her comfort. So, up they go, and when he lays her down on her bed, Alya pulls him to sit next to her, and switches to phase two. Remember when I said she doesn't want to override him? Her sequence of questions is a gentle attempt to determine if she's read him correctly. That his guilt is no longer the determining factor in their relationship, without triggering any resentment. Why are we staying in separate rooms? Aren't we married? Don't you love me? Don't I love you? Aren't you my husband? Am I not your wife? Then why are we sleeping in separate beds? See? It's a logical dismantling of the remaining distance between them. And every time Cihan answers, it gives her more courage to move forward, it gives her more hope. Cihan isn't being led; he's an active participant, and he is choosing to be. Step by step, to move forward with Alya, by staying in the conversation, to meet her halfway. Then comes the cute nose-rubbing session, and you can see Cihan wants to give in. But old habits die hard, so he has to be sure. Did you drink too much he asks, and that's when Alya gives up her game. Because she's sure too. She tells him how she only drank one glass of wine and how she broke that vase on purpose. Because when they're so close to the brink, she lays all her cards on the table, like always. It isn't like her to hide. And when Cihan brings the topic back to her drunkenness again, that's him proceeding with care. Baby steps. This is his life we're talking about... I mean, his wife. So, Alya Hanim takes up the challenge and asks, 'Would I only want to when I'm drunk?' things are clear as day. The proverbial bulb goes on in Ciho's head. His 'I don't know, maybe' is him being coy, like the imp he is. But all that playfulness goes out the window when his wife says, 'Wouldn't you like to find out?' I think Alya may have managed to give Cihan a mini heart attack with those words, because his answer is so faint, it's laughable. From that point on, it's all engines go for both of them. They're sure now, their minds and hearts are on the same page. After that, it's all love, desire, flirtatiousness, playful goading, and everything that's quintessentially CihAl. Brilliantly written and masterfully portrayed. #CihAl #UzakŞehir

CocoLoco

39,680 Aufrufe • vor 8 Monaten

A teeny tiny notice before I proceed with my analysis. If you have a problem with either Cihan or Alya, don't bother reading. Because I don't take sides. I don't watch or think or write through the lens of Alya vs Cihan. Both characters are dear to me. And, if that's the way you roll, by all means, proceed. Analyzing Episode 36. Season 2 aka Of Strengths, Weaknesses, and The Last Nail in the Coffin Evvveeettt. Another episode, another meltdown. Just another day in the CihAl fandom. Ngl, it took me two days to even think about writing my regular analysis post, because the negativity was more potent than usual. Or maybe my resistance is waning, who knows? But that's not what we're gonna focus on today. This day, we analyze the words and actions of the heart and soul of Uzak Sehir, aka Alya and Cihan Albora. But we'll do so within the framework of strengths and weaknesses, because to me, that's what really comes to the fore in ep36. Alya Albora Alya Albora was especially heartbreaking this episode. And coming from someone who gets their heartbroken regularly because of Alya, that's saying something. The episode starts with the zombie-man opening his eyes (I think this PoS is just lying there pretending to be a vegetable, but that's for another time). And the look Alya has on her face when she looks at Cihan is indescribable. Almost as if everything inside her is pleading, 'Please don't regress back to where we just came from.' Because she fears, even as she tries to check on the zombie, that the closer Frankenboran gets to waking up, the further Cihan will drift from her. And, to an extent, her fears are proven right when Sadakat brings up divorce again. See, Alya doesn't come from strong family roots. She believes her biological mother abandoned her for most of her adult life. Then she has Caroline, who tries to fill all the empty spaces abandonment leaves in little Alya, but doesn't manage to succeed too much. As I've said before, Alya's primary fears stem from being abandoned and being a burden. That's what she tries to protect herself from. Those walls around her heart are in place to keep her from suffering that same pain again. That's both her strength and her weakness. While the fear pushes Alya to love harder, to push past difficulties, to rise from the ashes over and over, it also makes her more aloof. She doesn't find it as difficult as Cihan to leave behind 'family' ties because she's never experienced just how forceful those bonds can be. When it falls to her to choose between her love for Cihan and whatever she had with Boran, she picks the former without much guilt. But there's another factor that helps keep her from feeling much remorse for Boran, and that's the way her former husband treats her. Before Alya finds out about the will, her anger at Cihan is at an all-time high, and there's no question of any relationship developing between the two. After the will, however, that's a different story. So, when it falls to her to choose, she can do so easily, with her conscience at rest. And we see that so clearly in the way she announces she won't return to Boran even when he wakes up. Now, let's focus on the tricky bit. The weaknesses. Because Alya fears being a burden, being imposed on someone, adding to their strain, anything other than clarity can't help but raise doubts. When Cihan doesn't answer her question of 'Where will you stand?' with a clear with you or with you, distrust raises its ugly head. She starts asking herself if their relationship is what Cihan really wants now that Boran is back in the picture. She starts wondering whether Cihan will be able to shoulder the burden their relationship will add to his already weighed-down shoulders. It's harrowing to watch her be drawn to Cihan one instant, and pull back the next. Not because she doesn't love him, but because she can't bear to be another weight on Cihan's existence. That's what we see when she's shivering with fever. She wants him close, but she also doesn't want him to suffer. She keeps asking Cihan to leave, but he refuses to budge. And, that cures and hurts at the same time. For some reason, when she says, 'I'm also trying to find a way,' I couldn't help but feel that a part of her is already reverting back to the old Alya. The longer Cihan refrains from giving Alya a clear answer, the more her doubts grow. The more their 'impossibility' takes over her love. The closer she grows to wanting to leave. This time, if she attempts to leave, it won't be because her feelings overwhelm her. It'll be because she can't bear to see Cihan hurt anymore. Cihan Albora Oh boy. I can already hear the jeers of 'coward' and 'gavat' (which, by the way, I find to be a really ugly word) ringing in my ears. Well, fcuk that. Let's get back to our analysis. I talked about how Cihan seems to be stuck between suppression and surrender when it comes to his guilt. And, I did think that almost losing Alya would break that spell. But, clearly, that's not the road that Gulizar wants to take. Perhaps she does want it to come down to conflict. I'm not sure yet. What I am sure of is that Cihan is already aware of what he wants. And it's not wanting to be BFFs with Boran at the expense of Alya, guilt be damned. You can see it in the way his answers get bolder every time Sadakat asks him about a divorce. This episode is the first time Cihan states outright that the burden of 'conscience' isn't his to bear because he merely did what Boran asked of him. In other words, he didn't plan on falling in love with Alya, but it happened, and if there's any blame in that, it's not on him or Alya. Here's what irks most people. He doesn't ever talk about what he wants. It's always 'What if Boran wants this' or 'What if Boran wants that.' In other words, it's a form of misdirection on his part. He knows what's in his heart, but he doesn't want to say it out loud. Another scene where you can clearly see what his choice will be is when he's taking care of Alya during her fever. The more Alya insists that he leave, the more he digs in his heels. Until finally, he says, 'I won't allow anyone to hurt you, I won't allow anyone to harm you, and that's how it will be until I draw my last breath.' People don't say things like. 'That's how it'll be as long as I live,' if they're not sure about what they want. This is Cihan's strength. His love, protective instincts, and his code of sticking up for the people he loves. Unfortunately, like Alya, that's also his weakness. Cihan's been trained to fight for his family and his people to his very last. And, that's one HUGE reason why he can't verbalize what's already screaming inside his mind and his heart. We know he can't live without Alya, he says as much in the last episode. He keeps buying time because he knows once he states those words - there's no turning back. And he knows exactly how ugly things could go because dealing with ugly has been his entire existence. People won't be kind to him or Alya in the place where they live (think back to how Demir sends his goons to insult Alya's mom). And besides all that, what if Boran doesn't want to let go? That's when shit will truly hit the fan, because once Cihan says he's with Alya, he'll be fighting his brother, standing up to his mother, breaking his family apart, endangering Albora with internal strife, and worst of all, risking Alya and Deniz's safety. And remember, unlike Alya, who can control her conscience because of an extenuating factor, Cihan has no such relief. So, what you see is a man trying to survive an impending hurricane in a straw hut. He knows when that storm hits, and it will, things will go to hell. Besides all that, there is his stupid conscience that just won't shut the hell up because of that code of his. To me, that's not cowardice. That's a man standing at the edge of a life-changing truth, and being undone by the gravity of it. It's almost as if his soul is negotiating with reality, hoping to avoid collateral damage, while grieving for the version of himself he knows won't survive after he states his truth. As we can see in the scene where he and Alya are saying goodbye, they're already a family. His heart has already made the choice, so much so that in that scene, even Sadakat and Nare see the invisible bonds tying Cihan to Alya and vice versa. It's not a question of if, merely when. The Last Nail in the Coffin The question on everyone's mind is, what will it be? The last nail in the coffin of Cihan and Boran's brotherhood. The point of no return. To me, the way things are shaping up, there will be a clash. Will the showdown happen when Boran wakes up, or will Cihan learn the truth about his brother and finally be set free? I don't know. I've always had the inkling that Boran isn't what he claims to be. I guess we'll find out soon. But until then, I'll be watching. Gladly. For both my babies. Till next time, happy reading, y'all. #CihAl #UzakŞehir
2:11

A teeny tiny notice before I proceed with my analysis. If you have a problem with either Cihan or Alya, don't bother reading. Because I don't take sides. I don't watch or think or write through the lens of Alya vs Cihan. Both characters are dear to me. And, if that's the way you roll, by all means, proceed. Analyzing Episode 36. Season 2 aka Of Strengths, Weaknesses, and The Last Nail in the Coffin Evvveeettt. Another episode, another meltdown. Just another day in the CihAl fandom. Ngl, it took me two days to even think about writing my regular analysis post, because the negativity was more potent than usual. Or maybe my resistance is waning, who knows? But that's not what we're gonna focus on today. This day, we analyze the words and actions of the heart and soul of Uzak Sehir, aka Alya and Cihan Albora. But we'll do so within the framework of strengths and weaknesses, because to me, that's what really comes to the fore in ep36. Alya Albora Alya Albora was especially heartbreaking this episode. And coming from someone who gets their heartbroken regularly because of Alya, that's saying something. The episode starts with the zombie-man opening his eyes (I think this PoS is just lying there pretending to be a vegetable, but that's for another time). And the look Alya has on her face when she looks at Cihan is indescribable. Almost as if everything inside her is pleading, 'Please don't regress back to where we just came from.' Because she fears, even as she tries to check on the zombie, that the closer Frankenboran gets to waking up, the further Cihan will drift from her. And, to an extent, her fears are proven right when Sadakat brings up divorce again. See, Alya doesn't come from strong family roots. She believes her biological mother abandoned her for most of her adult life. Then she has Caroline, who tries to fill all the empty spaces abandonment leaves in little Alya, but doesn't manage to succeed too much. As I've said before, Alya's primary fears stem from being abandoned and being a burden. That's what she tries to protect herself from. Those walls around her heart are in place to keep her from suffering that same pain again. That's both her strength and her weakness. While the fear pushes Alya to love harder, to push past difficulties, to rise from the ashes over and over, it also makes her more aloof. She doesn't find it as difficult as Cihan to leave behind 'family' ties because she's never experienced just how forceful those bonds can be. When it falls to her to choose between her love for Cihan and whatever she had with Boran, she picks the former without much guilt. But there's another factor that helps keep her from feeling much remorse for Boran, and that's the way her former husband treats her. Before Alya finds out about the will, her anger at Cihan is at an all-time high, and there's no question of any relationship developing between the two. After the will, however, that's a different story. So, when it falls to her to choose, she can do so easily, with her conscience at rest. And we see that so clearly in the way she announces she won't return to Boran even when he wakes up. Now, let's focus on the tricky bit. The weaknesses. Because Alya fears being a burden, being imposed on someone, adding to their strain, anything other than clarity can't help but raise doubts. When Cihan doesn't answer her question of 'Where will you stand?' with a clear with you or with you, distrust raises its ugly head. She starts asking herself if their relationship is what Cihan really wants now that Boran is back in the picture. She starts wondering whether Cihan will be able to shoulder the burden their relationship will add to his already weighed-down shoulders. It's harrowing to watch her be drawn to Cihan one instant, and pull back the next. Not because she doesn't love him, but because she can't bear to be another weight on Cihan's existence. That's what we see when she's shivering with fever. She wants him close, but she also doesn't want him to suffer. She keeps asking Cihan to leave, but he refuses to budge. And, that cures and hurts at the same time. For some reason, when she says, 'I'm also trying to find a way,' I couldn't help but feel that a part of her is already reverting back to the old Alya. The longer Cihan refrains from giving Alya a clear answer, the more her doubts grow. The more their 'impossibility' takes over her love. The closer she grows to wanting to leave. This time, if she attempts to leave, it won't be because her feelings overwhelm her. It'll be because she can't bear to see Cihan hurt anymore. Cihan Albora Oh boy. I can already hear the jeers of 'coward' and 'gavat' (which, by the way, I find to be a really ugly word) ringing in my ears. Well, fcuk that. Let's get back to our analysis. I talked about how Cihan seems to be stuck between suppression and surrender when it comes to his guilt. And, I did think that almost losing Alya would break that spell. But, clearly, that's not the road that Gulizar wants to take. Perhaps she does want it to come down to conflict. I'm not sure yet. What I am sure of is that Cihan is already aware of what he wants. And it's not wanting to be BFFs with Boran at the expense of Alya, guilt be damned. You can see it in the way his answers get bolder every time Sadakat asks him about a divorce. This episode is the first time Cihan states outright that the burden of 'conscience' isn't his to bear because he merely did what Boran asked of him. In other words, he didn't plan on falling in love with Alya, but it happened, and if there's any blame in that, it's not on him or Alya. Here's what irks most people. He doesn't ever talk about what he wants. It's always 'What if Boran wants this' or 'What if Boran wants that.' In other words, it's a form of misdirection on his part. He knows what's in his heart, but he doesn't want to say it out loud. Another scene where you can clearly see what his choice will be is when he's taking care of Alya during her fever. The more Alya insists that he leave, the more he digs in his heels. Until finally, he says, 'I won't allow anyone to hurt you, I won't allow anyone to harm you, and that's how it will be until I draw my last breath.' People don't say things like. 'That's how it'll be as long as I live,' if they're not sure about what they want. This is Cihan's strength. His love, protective instincts, and his code of sticking up for the people he loves. Unfortunately, like Alya, that's also his weakness. Cihan's been trained to fight for his family and his people to his very last. And, that's one HUGE reason why he can't verbalize what's already screaming inside his mind and his heart. We know he can't live without Alya, he says as much in the last episode. He keeps buying time because he knows once he states those words - there's no turning back. And he knows exactly how ugly things could go because dealing with ugly has been his entire existence. People won't be kind to him or Alya in the place where they live (think back to how Demir sends his goons to insult Alya's mom). And besides all that, what if Boran doesn't want to let go? That's when shit will truly hit the fan, because once Cihan says he's with Alya, he'll be fighting his brother, standing up to his mother, breaking his family apart, endangering Albora with internal strife, and worst of all, risking Alya and Deniz's safety. And remember, unlike Alya, who can control her conscience because of an extenuating factor, Cihan has no such relief. So, what you see is a man trying to survive an impending hurricane in a straw hut. He knows when that storm hits, and it will, things will go to hell. Besides all that, there is his stupid conscience that just won't shut the hell up because of that code of his. To me, that's not cowardice. That's a man standing at the edge of a life-changing truth, and being undone by the gravity of it. It's almost as if his soul is negotiating with reality, hoping to avoid collateral damage, while grieving for the version of himself he knows won't survive after he states his truth. As we can see in the scene where he and Alya are saying goodbye, they're already a family. His heart has already made the choice, so much so that in that scene, even Sadakat and Nare see the invisible bonds tying Cihan to Alya and vice versa. It's not a question of if, merely when. The Last Nail in the Coffin The question on everyone's mind is, what will it be? The last nail in the coffin of Cihan and Boran's brotherhood. The point of no return. To me, the way things are shaping up, there will be a clash. Will the showdown happen when Boran wakes up, or will Cihan learn the truth about his brother and finally be set free? I don't know. I've always had the inkling that Boran isn't what he claims to be. I guess we'll find out soon. But until then, I'll be watching. Gladly. For both my babies. Till next time, happy reading, y'all. #CihAl #UzakŞehir

CocoLoco

51,143 Aufrufe • vor 9 Monaten

This is one of the few times we see Alya open up and talk about her true feelings and desires. The fact that she tells Cihan she wanted to hug him, to fall asleep in his arms, but she could never bring herself to say it. A big part of that is, of course, the way their journey together began. But there's also Alya's own reticent nature. The fact that she keeps her emotions all locked up inside her. Her love is no less than Cihan's. But it's the kind of love that one needs to feel, rather than understand through words. Cihan is vocal. Alya's love, on the other hand, speaks through her choices, her sacrifices, and the quiet ways she keeps choosing him, even when it costs her everything. Even when she believes there's no way other than to break her own heart before she lets his be broken🥹 #CihAl #UzakŞehir
0:43

This is one of the few times we see Alya open up and talk about her true feelings and desires. The fact that she tells Cihan she wanted to hug him, to fall asleep in his arms, but she could never bring herself to say it. A big part of that is, of course, the way their journey together began. But there's also Alya's own reticent nature. The fact that she keeps her emotions all locked up inside her. Her love is no less than Cihan's. But it's the kind of love that one needs to feel, rather than understand through words. Cihan is vocal. Alya's love, on the other hand, speaks through her choices, her sacrifices, and the quiet ways she keeps choosing him, even when it costs her everything. Even when she believes there's no way other than to break her own heart before she lets his be broken🥹 #CihAl #UzakŞehir

CocoLoco

10,433 Aufrufe • vor 28 Tagen

"Power wears out those who don't have it" (The Godfather) One of the reasons why the zombie seems to be envious of Cihan is his ease of welding power. Cihan commands and people obey. Take a look at the following scenes, for example. In the first, Cihan makes his point and holds Sadakat's stare well enough to get her back off, thereby getting what he wants. In the second clip, we see Boran trying to intimidate Sadakat, but when she stares him down, he is the one to back off. Thereby signaling that Boran is only pretending to wield power. In that first scene, Cihan meets Sadakat’s gaze without flinching and without escalation. There's no rush; he simply waits. And Sadakat, who understands the dynamics of power, steps back because she recognizes certainty when she sees it. Boran, on the other hand, performs having power rather than embodying it. His attempt to intimidate Sadakat is fueled by insecurity, not authority. When Sadakat returns his stare unimpressed, Boran folds. This is exactly what the quote “Power wears out those who don’t have it" means. Boran is exhausted by the constant need to assert, threaten, and posture. Cihan doesn't have to do such things because everyone already knows what's what and who's who. That is one reason why Boran's envy runs deep. Boran doesn’t just want what Cihan has. He also wants the ease with which Cihan holds it. This is also reflected in the way Alya loves and defends Cihan, something that drives Boran crazy. But what he doesn't realize is love, unlike power, responds to reciprocity. And since Boran's love for Alya was never true, her love for him was never as strong or as powerful as her love for Cihan. #CihAl #UzakŞehir
0:33

"Power wears out those who don't have it" (The Godfather) One of the reasons why the zombie seems to be envious of Cihan is his ease of welding power. Cihan commands and people obey. Take a look at the following scenes, for example. In the first, Cihan makes his point and holds Sadakat's stare well enough to get her back off, thereby getting what he wants. In the second clip, we see Boran trying to intimidate Sadakat, but when she stares him down, he is the one to back off. Thereby signaling that Boran is only pretending to wield power. In that first scene, Cihan meets Sadakat’s gaze without flinching and without escalation. There's no rush; he simply waits. And Sadakat, who understands the dynamics of power, steps back because she recognizes certainty when she sees it. Boran, on the other hand, performs having power rather than embodying it. His attempt to intimidate Sadakat is fueled by insecurity, not authority. When Sadakat returns his stare unimpressed, Boran folds. This is exactly what the quote “Power wears out those who don’t have it" means. Boran is exhausted by the constant need to assert, threaten, and posture. Cihan doesn't have to do such things because everyone already knows what's what and who's who. That is one reason why Boran's envy runs deep. Boran doesn’t just want what Cihan has. He also wants the ease with which Cihan holds it. This is also reflected in the way Alya loves and defends Cihan, something that drives Boran crazy. But what he doesn't realize is love, unlike power, responds to reciprocity. And since Boran's love for Alya was never true, her love for him was never as strong or as powerful as her love for Cihan. #CihAl #UzakŞehir

CocoLoco

19,921 Aufrufe • vor 7 Monaten

Analyzing Episode 33. Season 3 aka Of Breaking Out, Waking Up and Fighting Together Evvvveeeettttt. Feels good to be back at analyzing Far City. And, it feels especially good to analyze ep 33 because it was a whopper of an episode. The flow of events, the dialogues, and the acting were all top-notch. Brilliant work. Now, let's get down to business. The episode kicks off with Sadotor (an amalgamation of Sadakat and dementor because fcuk if this woman doesn't suck all the happiness from any room she's in) kicking up a fuss and demanding Ciho and Alya get divorced. Now, I don't know if you've read my analysis of the Far City title song, but in it, I said from the lyrics and picturization of 'de mardin', it seems like Uzak Sehir is a tale of a land lost within its own oppressive history, crying out for a change. And the catalyst for that change is none other than Alya Albora. In the opening scene of ep 33, I was reminded yet again of why Alya is such an important character for this story - not just for Cihan, but also for Albora. Because Alya doesn't stand silent in the face of injustice or wrongdoing. She speaks out. Fearlessly. And each of her words helps lighten some of the burden of systematic abuse, both in the Albora family and the land. Some folks were calling out Alya for not loving Cihan enough or feeling something for Boran in ep32. I hope y'all have been satisfied. Because the only thing Alya feels for Frankenboran is disdain and anger. Rightly so. When Sadakat tries to pin the blame of 'shameless' on Alya and Cihan, Alya reads her the riot act and reminds her exactly of all the things Sadator has done that she should be ashamed of. She reminds her of the will imposed on her and Cihan. Something that Boran should be ashamed of. And then she points out that the only victims in this sorry tale are her, Cihan, and Deniz, because it's their lives that Boran and Sadator almost destroy. Lives that Sadotor is still trying to destroy. And let me tell you - THANK GOD. Because it was about time someone started speaking the truth in that household. That what Boran did wasn't some kind of supreme sacrifice - it was extreme selfishness. Like Alya says, when Boran sends her to Albora, to Sadotor, he knows exactly the kind of hell his mother is capable of unleashing. But instead of being truthful to his wife, Frankenboran gives Cihan one set of instructions, Vurgun another set of instructions, and tells Alya nothing at all. A more assholish move I've yet to see from a husband. Suffice it to say, Alya Albora wipes the floor with Sadotor with the truth. Because the truth can be a weapon in the hands of the oppressed, as long as they have the courage to speak. Something that's highly necessary for the Albora clan. My queen, that's all I can say for Alya. Now, let's switch to Ciho. Just like people were calling Alya ungrateful last week, folks are lynching Ciho for being a 'coward.' Le sigh. I mean, if that's the way you wanna go, no one's gonna stop you. But Cihan Albora is no coward. He's just a man, catching up to his learning curve. When Cihan tells Sadotor 'I wish you weren't my mom' I felt heartbroken for him. I was also incredibly, incredibly proud. Because just like Alya is breaking out of the circle of abuse, Cihan is waking up to his mother's constant, vile manipulation. The next scene that most stood out was Alya and Cihan's heart-to-heart along the banks of the Tigris. And, once again, let me say, I LOVE Alya Albora. She does love fearlessly, this woman. Which is why she tells Cihan outright that when Boran wakes up, she will divorce his ass. So, why does Cihan not come up with an equally kick-ass declaration? Because he's like the Eupharates, remember? Silent waters run deep, and Cihan's character isn't one to rush. Does that mean he's having second thoughts about Alya? HELL NO. The reason he's hesitant is because 1. he's not sure about Alya's feelings (until she tells him in that moment), and 2. he's the one who'll be burning bridges when this showdown happens. He doesn't regret falling in love with Alya, but when you're standing at the edge of a precipice, about to take a leap of faith, you can't help but think about what you're about to do. I know a lot of you had problems with him calling Alya Boran's wife legally, but he's trying to give her room and gauge her reaction. Remember, this is the guy who forces Alya to marry him in the beginning, and he still regrets that. He doesn't want a repeat. Then there's the fact that whether Alya wants to stay with him or go back to Boran is her decision. He knows that. He's shit scared of it, but he knows, if either Deniz or Alya wants to 'go back' to the status quo, they'd be well within their rights. He even says as much. So he keeps asking what if Boran wants you, because saying what if you want Boran is beyond horror. It's a death sentence for Cihan, and he knows it. His efforts finally bear fruit when Alya tells him straight up, she doesn't want Boran and that she wants to stay with the man she loves. The relief on Cihan's face is palpable then. Cihan once tells Sahin that when making a decision, it's best to focus on what you'll be giving up to help make up your mind. Alya is his very life; he makes that clear when he says, 'Sen bana nefes oldu.' So, giving her up is not an option. What that also means is that the brotherhood he's prized all his life (whether rightly or wrongly) will fall under fire, and he won't be able to stop it. And, how that will affect other parts of their lives is up in the air, so you can't blame the man for taking a moment to process. Neither he nor Alya have it easy, but in this case, Alya feels easier to break away. Cihan needs to shed a lifetime of memories he's burdened with. But, despite all that, I'm glad Alya tells him that if he doesn't have the courage to stand with her, she won't go back to Boran. As jarring as her words are, they act as a sort of wake-up call. Reminding Cihan what's at stake. That's needed, and you can see the effect they have almost a few scenes later. When Cihan is talking to Sadotor to ask her to leave Deniz alone, he finally drops his nice-guy act and threatens her exactly the way she operates. Tit for tat. And that made me really happy, because both he and Alya will need to be unrepentant and perhaps even ruthless to save their relationship from what's coming. What sets CihAl apart is their ability to read each other and to communicate. That comes through very clearly in this episode. Another thing that's made obvious is that these two not only belong together (Dicla and Firat) but also that they're never going to give up on each other. To wrap things up, ep 33 marks another turning point in CihAl's lives. This episode seemed to give me 'emancipation' vibes. Alya tears down the walls of guilt and silence that surround Albora ailesi. Meanwhile, Cihan starts taking apart the shackles his past and Sadotor's manipulation have forged around him since childhood. Both Cihan and Alya stop being just survivors and start becoming active fighters in their story, and I loved each minute of it. Till next time, happy reading y'all. #CihAl #UzakŞehir
2:25

Analyzing Episode 33. Season 3 aka Of Breaking Out, Waking Up and Fighting Together Evvvveeeettttt. Feels good to be back at analyzing Far City. And, it feels especially good to analyze ep 33 because it was a whopper of an episode. The flow of events, the dialogues, and the acting were all top-notch. Brilliant work. Now, let's get down to business. The episode kicks off with Sadotor (an amalgamation of Sadakat and dementor because fcuk if this woman doesn't suck all the happiness from any room she's in) kicking up a fuss and demanding Ciho and Alya get divorced. Now, I don't know if you've read my analysis of the Far City title song, but in it, I said from the lyrics and picturization of 'de mardin', it seems like Uzak Sehir is a tale of a land lost within its own oppressive history, crying out for a change. And the catalyst for that change is none other than Alya Albora. In the opening scene of ep 33, I was reminded yet again of why Alya is such an important character for this story - not just for Cihan, but also for Albora. Because Alya doesn't stand silent in the face of injustice or wrongdoing. She speaks out. Fearlessly. And each of her words helps lighten some of the burden of systematic abuse, both in the Albora family and the land. Some folks were calling out Alya for not loving Cihan enough or feeling something for Boran in ep32. I hope y'all have been satisfied. Because the only thing Alya feels for Frankenboran is disdain and anger. Rightly so. When Sadakat tries to pin the blame of 'shameless' on Alya and Cihan, Alya reads her the riot act and reminds her exactly of all the things Sadator has done that she should be ashamed of. She reminds her of the will imposed on her and Cihan. Something that Boran should be ashamed of. And then she points out that the only victims in this sorry tale are her, Cihan, and Deniz, because it's their lives that Boran and Sadator almost destroy. Lives that Sadotor is still trying to destroy. And let me tell you - THANK GOD. Because it was about time someone started speaking the truth in that household. That what Boran did wasn't some kind of supreme sacrifice - it was extreme selfishness. Like Alya says, when Boran sends her to Albora, to Sadotor, he knows exactly the kind of hell his mother is capable of unleashing. But instead of being truthful to his wife, Frankenboran gives Cihan one set of instructions, Vurgun another set of instructions, and tells Alya nothing at all. A more assholish move I've yet to see from a husband. Suffice it to say, Alya Albora wipes the floor with Sadotor with the truth. Because the truth can be a weapon in the hands of the oppressed, as long as they have the courage to speak. Something that's highly necessary for the Albora clan. My queen, that's all I can say for Alya. Now, let's switch to Ciho. Just like people were calling Alya ungrateful last week, folks are lynching Ciho for being a 'coward.' Le sigh. I mean, if that's the way you wanna go, no one's gonna stop you. But Cihan Albora is no coward. He's just a man, catching up to his learning curve. When Cihan tells Sadotor 'I wish you weren't my mom' I felt heartbroken for him. I was also incredibly, incredibly proud. Because just like Alya is breaking out of the circle of abuse, Cihan is waking up to his mother's constant, vile manipulation. The next scene that most stood out was Alya and Cihan's heart-to-heart along the banks of the Tigris. And, once again, let me say, I LOVE Alya Albora. She does love fearlessly, this woman. Which is why she tells Cihan outright that when Boran wakes up, she will divorce his ass. So, why does Cihan not come up with an equally kick-ass declaration? Because he's like the Eupharates, remember? Silent waters run deep, and Cihan's character isn't one to rush. Does that mean he's having second thoughts about Alya? HELL NO. The reason he's hesitant is because 1. he's not sure about Alya's feelings (until she tells him in that moment), and 2. he's the one who'll be burning bridges when this showdown happens. He doesn't regret falling in love with Alya, but when you're standing at the edge of a precipice, about to take a leap of faith, you can't help but think about what you're about to do. I know a lot of you had problems with him calling Alya Boran's wife legally, but he's trying to give her room and gauge her reaction. Remember, this is the guy who forces Alya to marry him in the beginning, and he still regrets that. He doesn't want a repeat. Then there's the fact that whether Alya wants to stay with him or go back to Boran is her decision. He knows that. He's shit scared of it, but he knows, if either Deniz or Alya wants to 'go back' to the status quo, they'd be well within their rights. He even says as much. So he keeps asking what if Boran wants you, because saying what if you want Boran is beyond horror. It's a death sentence for Cihan, and he knows it. His efforts finally bear fruit when Alya tells him straight up, she doesn't want Boran and that she wants to stay with the man she loves. The relief on Cihan's face is palpable then. Cihan once tells Sahin that when making a decision, it's best to focus on what you'll be giving up to help make up your mind. Alya is his very life; he makes that clear when he says, 'Sen bana nefes oldu.' So, giving her up is not an option. What that also means is that the brotherhood he's prized all his life (whether rightly or wrongly) will fall under fire, and he won't be able to stop it. And, how that will affect other parts of their lives is up in the air, so you can't blame the man for taking a moment to process. Neither he nor Alya have it easy, but in this case, Alya feels easier to break away. Cihan needs to shed a lifetime of memories he's burdened with. But, despite all that, I'm glad Alya tells him that if he doesn't have the courage to stand with her, she won't go back to Boran. As jarring as her words are, they act as a sort of wake-up call. Reminding Cihan what's at stake. That's needed, and you can see the effect they have almost a few scenes later. When Cihan is talking to Sadotor to ask her to leave Deniz alone, he finally drops his nice-guy act and threatens her exactly the way she operates. Tit for tat. And that made me really happy, because both he and Alya will need to be unrepentant and perhaps even ruthless to save their relationship from what's coming. What sets CihAl apart is their ability to read each other and to communicate. That comes through very clearly in this episode. Another thing that's made obvious is that these two not only belong together (Dicla and Firat) but also that they're never going to give up on each other. To wrap things up, ep 33 marks another turning point in CihAl's lives. This episode seemed to give me 'emancipation' vibes. Alya tears down the walls of guilt and silence that surround Albora ailesi. Meanwhile, Cihan starts taking apart the shackles his past and Sadotor's manipulation have forged around him since childhood. Both Cihan and Alya stop being just survivors and start becoming active fighters in their story, and I loved each minute of it. Till next time, happy reading y'all. #CihAl #UzakŞehir

CocoLoco

19,602 Aufrufe • vor 10 Monaten

Analyzing Episode 39. Season 2 aka Of Closets, Skeletons, and Haunting Truths Eveeeetttt. I finally found some of my old energy to write because last night's episode was AWESOME. And, allow me, nay, give me the freedom to say 'I TOLD YOU SO!' because the zombie turned out to be just as big a sh!thead as I expected him to be. Okay, now that I've gotten that exultant vindication out of the way, let's get on with our analysis. We start the episode with FrankenBoran saying 'Alya' and promptly fainting again. When he comes to again, he remarkably remembers all his other family members, and proceeds to creep Alya out further by calling her beautiful. I mean, don't get me wrong, but if a loving husband woke up from a year-long coma and saw his wife, I'd expect him to say something like 'I missed you' or 'How have you been?' But this guy? He goes straight for the look at my hot trophy-doctor wife. Yech. Anyway, at the zombie's insistence of seeing Cihan Deniz, Alya informs his decrepit self of the accident and all that followed, minus the mountain of trauma she went through. Is anyone else surprised by how handy this man's memory is? Because what the heck do you mean he doesn't remember asking his brother to marry his widow? When Cihan is forced to inform the zombie of his marriage to Alya, he suddenly switches to victim mode and passes out again. Convenient. After that, the assorted Alboras all convene in the salon at Sadakat's insistence, where she tries and fails to guilt-trip Cihan and Alya into showing Deniz to the zombie. Then she fine-tunes her maternal emo blackmail skills to keep Cihan from telling Boran who his real father is. Spot the witch's hypocrisy here? The only thing that made that entire scene bearable was Nare and Kaya supporting Cihan and Alya. Thank goodness for Azem and Fiko anne's genes. Alya's scene with Deniz (who's still blissfully napping) was a cute reprieve. She's understandably struggling with how she's going to explain the mess the zombie has made of their lives to her son. And, like any decent mom, she wants to protect Deniz from all kinds of pain, but finds herself helpless. And the fact that Cihan walks in and says he wishes he could protect Alya from the ugliness of life because she's just as innocent as Deniz was special to me. Because the world we live in will always blame women first, regardless of whether they're guilty or not. I've read so many comments from random losers (yep, losers) blaming Alya and accusing her of 'loose morals' because she refuses to return to the PoS husband who all but foists her on his brother's shoulders to save his own worthless self. That little reminder by Cihan of Alya's innocence in all that's happening to them made me want to hug Gulizar. Because that scene was put in there for a reason. It's to remind the viewers to watch what's happening without the blinders of hate and judgment. Because sometimes the truth requires you to be a little more than just your hateful prejudices. The next scene that stood out to me was when Boran sees Deniz. Because there you can clearly see the difference between Cihan and Boran in their 'husband' or 'protector' roles. When Boran struts to Alya in his fake righteous indignation and asks her about which room is hers, you can see his harsh, condemnatory behavior in juxtaposition to Cihan's loving acceptance of all that Alya is. Even when Cihan doesn't know her, he intrinsically trusts her and refuses to believe his mother's accusations about her and Izzet. The fact that Boran expects Alya to have a separate room, even though he specifically asks Cihan to marry Alya, is just more proof that the zombie merely wanted the marriage to ensure Alya didn't move on in her life. It was never about love or protection. It was about control and possession. Among the many outstanding scenes of this episode were Cihan and Alya facing off against Boran. Because it was about damn time this freaking skeleton was dragged out of the closet and forced into the light of truth. Why do people expect Alya to go back to Boran? Why do they expect her to stay silent about loving Cihan? Because she's a woman? Because her worth is measured by what the world dictates is her honor? Fcuk that. And that's precisely what Alya's monologue is about. How is she the one to blame when her ex-husband was the one lying to her since day one? How is the shame hers when Boran felt none, asking his brother to marry his widow just so he could return and claim her like she's some baggage? Alya rightly informs the zombie that, in his attempt to play God, his decision made her Cihan's wife. And, no matter how much he apologizes, nothing will change the truth of her feelings. She loves Cihan now, and that's that. Now, let's focus on Cihan's talk with Boran. I feel so sad for Ciho, because the man he looked up to turned out to have feet of clay. And, Cihan's realization of that becomes obvious as their 'talk' continues. When Cihan admits he loves Alya, Boran immediately hits him with Meryem. The zombie has the audacity to say that if Cihan managed to get over Meryem, his love for Alya could be a passing thing too. Manipulative ass. Thankfully, Cihan has the perfect comeback. And, what's more, we as the audience know he's telling the truth, because we've seen him evolve. He says what he thought was the truth was actually a lie, and it was only something he realized when he came face-to-face with the real deal. Alya truly is the love of his life. A fact that only becomes clearer as he continues to talk. When Boran dares to ask whether Cihan has slept with Alya, you can see Cihan's heart break in the heavy breath he expels. It's almost as if he can't believe the words he's hearing. But despite that, he answers. And he answers truthfully. Why? Because he'd never allow what he feels for Alya to be marred by accusations of lust. Of falling under the spell of her beauty only. Cihan knows Alya is beautiful. And he's often mesmerized by her beauty. But he falls in love with who Alya is. As a mother. As a doctor. As his wife. He falls in love with all the aspects of her, good and bad. And his dialogue 'whether I touch her or not, my love for her will never change,' proves he's operating on a different plain than his scum of a brother. The fact that Alya is willing to risk being called 'characterless' or 'easy' with the trauma of her past, and that Cihan is willing to go against his entire code of 'family and duty' for each other, is the biggest proof of their love. It's not easy to break out of the mold our circumstances and life place us in. But what makes Alya and Cihan inherently attractive is that they're willing to risk it all for love, while still sticking to their principles and beliefs. I think I fell in love with CihAl as a couple all over again in this episode. These two characters are possibly the most conscientious protagonists I've seen in a dizi, and it's laughable when people pass judgment on them due to morals, lmao. Now, on to less palatable topics. The zombie and Albora's haunting truth. The last scene of the episode makes several silent revelations. One is that Boran was never happy being sidelined in favor of Cihan as the leader. Two is that Boran likely killed Sulaiman Baybars, not out of a vendetta, but possibly because he was trying to prove himself worthy of the mantle of leadership, and being exiled instead pissed him off. Three is that Boran will likely stoop to any level, including going over to Ecmel's side to snatch what he feels is rightfully his. And four is that allowing Boran to escape the consequences of his actions created a monster who thinks the world revolves around him. It's obvious by the look on Boran's face that he's going to pick bitterness and payback over introspection and accountability. And in doing so, Albora's haunting truth will be repeated - the biggest danger to the family isn't some external enemy, it's often one of your own, driven by festering envy and entitlement. Because history doesn't always repeat, but it does rhyme. And that's my two cents on this episode. Till next time, happy reading y'all. #CihAl #UzakŞehir
3:09

Analyzing Episode 39. Season 2 aka Of Closets, Skeletons, and Haunting Truths Eveeeetttt. I finally found some of my old energy to write because last night's episode was AWESOME. And, allow me, nay, give me the freedom to say 'I TOLD YOU SO!' because the zombie turned out to be just as big a sh!thead as I expected him to be. Okay, now that I've gotten that exultant vindication out of the way, let's get on with our analysis. We start the episode with FrankenBoran saying 'Alya' and promptly fainting again. When he comes to again, he remarkably remembers all his other family members, and proceeds to creep Alya out further by calling her beautiful. I mean, don't get me wrong, but if a loving husband woke up from a year-long coma and saw his wife, I'd expect him to say something like 'I missed you' or 'How have you been?' But this guy? He goes straight for the look at my hot trophy-doctor wife. Yech. Anyway, at the zombie's insistence of seeing Cihan Deniz, Alya informs his decrepit self of the accident and all that followed, minus the mountain of trauma she went through. Is anyone else surprised by how handy this man's memory is? Because what the heck do you mean he doesn't remember asking his brother to marry his widow? When Cihan is forced to inform the zombie of his marriage to Alya, he suddenly switches to victim mode and passes out again. Convenient. After that, the assorted Alboras all convene in the salon at Sadakat's insistence, where she tries and fails to guilt-trip Cihan and Alya into showing Deniz to the zombie. Then she fine-tunes her maternal emo blackmail skills to keep Cihan from telling Boran who his real father is. Spot the witch's hypocrisy here? The only thing that made that entire scene bearable was Nare and Kaya supporting Cihan and Alya. Thank goodness for Azem and Fiko anne's genes. Alya's scene with Deniz (who's still blissfully napping) was a cute reprieve. She's understandably struggling with how she's going to explain the mess the zombie has made of their lives to her son. And, like any decent mom, she wants to protect Deniz from all kinds of pain, but finds herself helpless. And the fact that Cihan walks in and says he wishes he could protect Alya from the ugliness of life because she's just as innocent as Deniz was special to me. Because the world we live in will always blame women first, regardless of whether they're guilty or not. I've read so many comments from random losers (yep, losers) blaming Alya and accusing her of 'loose morals' because she refuses to return to the PoS husband who all but foists her on his brother's shoulders to save his own worthless self. That little reminder by Cihan of Alya's innocence in all that's happening to them made me want to hug Gulizar. Because that scene was put in there for a reason. It's to remind the viewers to watch what's happening without the blinders of hate and judgment. Because sometimes the truth requires you to be a little more than just your hateful prejudices. The next scene that stood out to me was when Boran sees Deniz. Because there you can clearly see the difference between Cihan and Boran in their 'husband' or 'protector' roles. When Boran struts to Alya in his fake righteous indignation and asks her about which room is hers, you can see his harsh, condemnatory behavior in juxtaposition to Cihan's loving acceptance of all that Alya is. Even when Cihan doesn't know her, he intrinsically trusts her and refuses to believe his mother's accusations about her and Izzet. The fact that Boran expects Alya to have a separate room, even though he specifically asks Cihan to marry Alya, is just more proof that the zombie merely wanted the marriage to ensure Alya didn't move on in her life. It was never about love or protection. It was about control and possession. Among the many outstanding scenes of this episode were Cihan and Alya facing off against Boran. Because it was about damn time this freaking skeleton was dragged out of the closet and forced into the light of truth. Why do people expect Alya to go back to Boran? Why do they expect her to stay silent about loving Cihan? Because she's a woman? Because her worth is measured by what the world dictates is her honor? Fcuk that. And that's precisely what Alya's monologue is about. How is she the one to blame when her ex-husband was the one lying to her since day one? How is the shame hers when Boran felt none, asking his brother to marry his widow just so he could return and claim her like she's some baggage? Alya rightly informs the zombie that, in his attempt to play God, his decision made her Cihan's wife. And, no matter how much he apologizes, nothing will change the truth of her feelings. She loves Cihan now, and that's that. Now, let's focus on Cihan's talk with Boran. I feel so sad for Ciho, because the man he looked up to turned out to have feet of clay. And, Cihan's realization of that becomes obvious as their 'talk' continues. When Cihan admits he loves Alya, Boran immediately hits him with Meryem. The zombie has the audacity to say that if Cihan managed to get over Meryem, his love for Alya could be a passing thing too. Manipulative ass. Thankfully, Cihan has the perfect comeback. And, what's more, we as the audience know he's telling the truth, because we've seen him evolve. He says what he thought was the truth was actually a lie, and it was only something he realized when he came face-to-face with the real deal. Alya truly is the love of his life. A fact that only becomes clearer as he continues to talk. When Boran dares to ask whether Cihan has slept with Alya, you can see Cihan's heart break in the heavy breath he expels. It's almost as if he can't believe the words he's hearing. But despite that, he answers. And he answers truthfully. Why? Because he'd never allow what he feels for Alya to be marred by accusations of lust. Of falling under the spell of her beauty only. Cihan knows Alya is beautiful. And he's often mesmerized by her beauty. But he falls in love with who Alya is. As a mother. As a doctor. As his wife. He falls in love with all the aspects of her, good and bad. And his dialogue 'whether I touch her or not, my love for her will never change,' proves he's operating on a different plain than his scum of a brother. The fact that Alya is willing to risk being called 'characterless' or 'easy' with the trauma of her past, and that Cihan is willing to go against his entire code of 'family and duty' for each other, is the biggest proof of their love. It's not easy to break out of the mold our circumstances and life place us in. But what makes Alya and Cihan inherently attractive is that they're willing to risk it all for love, while still sticking to their principles and beliefs. I think I fell in love with CihAl as a couple all over again in this episode. These two characters are possibly the most conscientious protagonists I've seen in a dizi, and it's laughable when people pass judgment on them due to morals, lmao. Now, on to less palatable topics. The zombie and Albora's haunting truth. The last scene of the episode makes several silent revelations. One is that Boran was never happy being sidelined in favor of Cihan as the leader. Two is that Boran likely killed Sulaiman Baybars, not out of a vendetta, but possibly because he was trying to prove himself worthy of the mantle of leadership, and being exiled instead pissed him off. Three is that Boran will likely stoop to any level, including going over to Ecmel's side to snatch what he feels is rightfully his. And four is that allowing Boran to escape the consequences of his actions created a monster who thinks the world revolves around him. It's obvious by the look on Boran's face that he's going to pick bitterness and payback over introspection and accountability. And in doing so, Albora's haunting truth will be repeated - the biggest danger to the family isn't some external enemy, it's often one of your own, driven by festering envy and entitlement. Because history doesn't always repeat, but it does rhyme. And that's my two cents on this episode. Till next time, happy reading y'all. #CihAl #UzakŞehir

CocoLoco

30,788 Aufrufe • vor 9 Monaten

Analyzing Episode 60. Season 2 aka Motherhood Deconstructed I want to start this analysis with a disclaimer that I'll be writing about that kiss separately, because really, it deserves a post of its own. I'll talk about it here briefly, but this analysis will stick to the overall events of ep 60. To me, the main theme of this episode was motherhood. Be it Alya, Nare, Zerrin, Sadakat, and yes, even the dishrag. We see how these different women strive, suffer, and never stop trying to keep their children with them, all except one. So, let's begin. We start episode 60 with Alya and Cihan awaiting to conduct a DNA test on baby Simal, whom Kaya insists is his child. Long story short, Kaya is feeling a little pissed about Zerrin keeping the truth of Simal from him, and he has a point. But then, it's not like Zerrin has had a jolly good time pretending to play house with a creep like Demir. The only reason she relents is to keep her baby safe. So, it's a catch-22 situation, where both sides are right and wrong. But, it's not like we don't know these two will make up soon. What stood out to me in that sequence was Alya taking charge of ensuring Zerrin has access to her baby. She knows exactly what it is to be separated from one's child, and she's kind and brave enough to refuse to let anyone suffer through the same. So, in a way, Alya's motherhood doesn't just extend to Deniz. It encompasses her to the point where she shields all those she feels need protection. I also like the fact that she's taken Zerrin under her wing, because when the latter moves into the konak with Sadakat, she'll need all the help she can get. The next sequence begins at the hospital, where Nare is still hell-bent on continuing with the pregnancy, though at great risk to her life. This is another glimpse of motherhood the show gives us - in the shape of a woman who is so in love with her unborn child already, she's willing to risk death to bring it into the world. Contrasted to that is Sadakat, who's willing to lie or cheat to keep her daughter alive. Here is a ruthless kind of motherhood. Sadakat's love (if you can call it that) has always been wrapped in control, manipulation, and fear. But, still at the center of all her ugliness is a woman who doesn't want to lose her children. Nare is willing to die for her child, Sadakat is willing to kill Nare's child to ensure she lives - quite the compelling contrast. Different forms of motherhood, but both rooted in desperation. In the middle of all that, Meryem pops up like a bad penny. But even as she arrives in that room and Sadakat wants to keep her there, the awkward silence that envelops the space as she lingers is telling. She doesn't belong, it seems to say. But, there's another person who's starting to question their 'belonging' in this new version of the past that's come back - and of course, that's Alya. The more she sees Meryem infiltrate parts of her life beyond the konak, the more her exposed nerves are rubbed raw. This woman is so close to complete and utter exhaustion, it's heartbreaking. What's even more heartbreaking is that while she tries to be there for everyone, she herself cuts everyone off when she feels troubled. And that, to me, is where the episode quietly portrays the emotional labor aspect of being a mom. Alya mothers everyone around her. Nare, Zerrin, Kaya, and Deniz. Even Cihan at times. She absorbs pain, tries to stem chaos, protects others from falling apart, yet when it comes to her own fears and insecurities, she retreats inward completely. It's almost as if she believes she only deserves to be the shelter, never the one allowed to seek sanctuary. Because children who grow up thinking they've been abandoned grow up thinking love is a thing to be earned through caring or usefulness. So, instead of asking for comfort, they always end up providing it. But humans, even the strongest of the strong, have their limits. And, it's so clear that Alya is close to reaching hers. So, when Cihan is forced to relent and allow Mujgan and her son to the konak because Deniz wants it, Alya does what she does best - she withdraws and leaves the source of discomfort. That's why she tells Cihan she hates going to the konak now because every time she goes there, the spectre of Meryem and what she can snatch away becomes unavoidable. And, as blind as Cihan can be at times, he picks up on that. He knows exactly what she's trying to do, which is why he tries to redirect her attention to the fact that he hates going to the konak without Alya around, too. He wants to be wherever Alya is. In his own way, he's trying to tell her it doesn't matter who stays at that house; it's only home to Cihan when Alya is around. His words reach Alya, which is why she relents and visits the konak for a few hours, but then shit hits the fan again. We'll get to that, but first, let's talk about Meryem. Meryem's scene in the hospital with Mujgan reveals Meryem saying she can't tell Cihan about Serhat because she's not sure who the father is, and that she'd rather live in the hope that Serhat is the son of the man she loves, bla blah. Now, go back and think of all the versions of motherhood we've seen in this series, and indeed this episode. They all have one thing in common - that all the mothers did whatever they had to, and bore whatever came their way to ensure their babies stayed with them. No matter how much Alya, Zerrin, or Nare love their better halves, when push came to shove, they put their children first. Even Sadakat married Azem for Boran. All except one. Meryem. Meryem sent her son away and made it look like he was Mujgan's child, thereby erasing all his links to her. One could argue it was because she feared Feyyaz. But what's stopping her now? Let's assume what Meryem says is right and there's a 50 percent chance Serhat is Cihan's son. For a mother desperate to save her child from danger, those are pretty good odds, so why avoid the DNA test? Suppose Serhat turns out to be Feyyaz's son; even so, if she comes clean with Cihan, she knows he's the kind to help her, even if just to keep an innocent child safe. So, her version of motherhood sticks out like a sore thumb in the episode. In contrast, I found Alya's line, 'When it comes to my son, I put him before everything and everyone else,' much more fitting with the theme. Mothers on the defensive, who feel there's a threat to their child's wellbeing, will relent to even the most extreme measure - even if it tears their own being apart. Alya hates being away from Cihan. She hates that distance she imposes between them as much as Cihan, but she can't help it. Because the mother in her won't let her choose anything else. Which is why I say Serhat is almost like an afterthought to Meryem because his needs are never the focus. And I get the feeling that whatever Meryem is trying to hide threatens not her son, but likely the version of herself she's presented to the world. Even when I rewatched the kite flying scene, the way the camera pans into Serhat only once, but mostly focuses on Cihan and Alya after showing us Meryem is telling. Like this is a woman not going through hell because of her child, but because she's looking at a structure of acceptance she's no longer able to enter. Life at the konak, Cihan's family unit, his love for Alya and Deniz - it's everything that could have been hers once, but no longer. No matter how she tries, she no longer fits. And honestly, that’s why that sense of not belonging is even more overt in an episode about motherhood. Every other mother in this episode becomes messy because of love for their child. Nare breaks down. Zerrin panics. Sadakat manipulates openly. Alya practically emotionally disintegrates trying to hold everything together. Their feelings spill all over the place because motherhood, especially threatened motherhood, breaks people down. But Meryem remains oddly stoic throughout it all, except for a few tears. She's mostly careful and controlled, and always aware of who's watching her. Going back to the point of shit hitting the fan, when Alya discovers Meryem and Mujgan in Cihan's room, she doesn't buy Meryem's story for a bit. When Cihan tries to calm the situation, she dismantles the sorry excuse Meryem gives with two questions. In other words, her spidey senses pick up trouble, but she keeps it locked in because she doesn't want to appear as the jealous, unreasonable wife. But things come to a head anyway when Feyyaz cuts Cihan and Alya off on the road. Cihan seems to finally realize exactly the kind of trouble Meryem has unleashed in their lives when Feyyaz keeps eyeing Alya. Because to Feyyaz's psychotic mind, Cihan is keeping Meryem away from him, which makes Alya fair game. But when Cihan insists Alya return to the konak, Alya flat out refuses, and all the pressure that's been building inside her gets directed at Cihan. She knows deep down he's not at fault, but the fact that he's jumped into another situation without thinking of the danger, grates on her nerves. Which is why her default setting kicks in; she demands that Cihan bring Deniz to her and leave the apartment. Cihan, who is already reeling from Alya pulling back from him and the reality of Feyyaz targeting the only thing he truly holds dear, is desperate to stop Alya's isolation before she decides he's not worth all the misery she's suffering, and does what's worked for him once before in a desperate situation (the airport, anyone?). He forgets everything, pulls Alya in, and kisses the breath out of her. And, it works too, because for that moment, Alya stops spiraling long enough to simply feel. To stop calculating danger or bracing for abandonment. She feels loved and safe in Cihan's arms again. That's what makes that kiss so powerful. It isn't just the passion. It's the desperation behind it, on both sides. Cihan isn't kissing Alya because he wants to win an argument. He's kissing her because he's terrified, and he misses her. He's worried that if she keeps retreating inward, one day she'll retreat so far he won't be able to reach her anymore. Worried that all the fear, exhaustion, and pressure she's carrying will eventually make her decide loving him isn't worth the cost. And Alya responds because beneath all her anger, fear, and exhaustion, she loves him just as desperately. That's the irony of CihAl this season. They're not going to pieces because the love is weakening. They're going to pieces because the love has become so enormous that losing it feels catastrophic to both of them. To conclude, everything within ep 60, including the kiss, works so beautifully because technically everyone is unraveling. Every woman in this episode is fighting to protect something she loves, but the ways they do so reveal who they are at their core. Alya protects by sacrificing parts of herself. Nare protects by risking herself. Sadakat protects by controlling others. Zerrin protects by enduring humiliation. And Meryem... Meryem protects the narratives she builds. Her emotions, while visible, don't land with impact, almost as if they're missing a core ingredient. On the opposite end of the spectrum lie CihAl, whose love strips them bare, only for them to realize that retreat is no option. The only way forward for them is through - through fear, through exhaustion, through jealousy, through danger, and through every ugly and painful thing that loving someone this deeply awakens inside them. Because CihAl are incapable of loving each other halfway. Their love keeps dragging every hidden wound, every insecurity, every instinct to the surface until there is nowhere left to hide. And maybe that’s the real contrast episode 60 quietly builds toward: one side clinging to carefully maintained facades, the other being emotionally dismantled by a love too raw and overwhelming to remain controlled. Till later, happy reading, y'all. #CihAl #UzakŞehir
5:10

Analyzing Episode 60. Season 2 aka Motherhood Deconstructed I want to start this analysis with a disclaimer that I'll be writing about that kiss separately, because really, it deserves a post of its own. I'll talk about it here briefly, but this analysis will stick to the overall events of ep 60. To me, the main theme of this episode was motherhood. Be it Alya, Nare, Zerrin, Sadakat, and yes, even the dishrag. We see how these different women strive, suffer, and never stop trying to keep their children with them, all except one. So, let's begin. We start episode 60 with Alya and Cihan awaiting to conduct a DNA test on baby Simal, whom Kaya insists is his child. Long story short, Kaya is feeling a little pissed about Zerrin keeping the truth of Simal from him, and he has a point. But then, it's not like Zerrin has had a jolly good time pretending to play house with a creep like Demir. The only reason she relents is to keep her baby safe. So, it's a catch-22 situation, where both sides are right and wrong. But, it's not like we don't know these two will make up soon. What stood out to me in that sequence was Alya taking charge of ensuring Zerrin has access to her baby. She knows exactly what it is to be separated from one's child, and she's kind and brave enough to refuse to let anyone suffer through the same. So, in a way, Alya's motherhood doesn't just extend to Deniz. It encompasses her to the point where she shields all those she feels need protection. I also like the fact that she's taken Zerrin under her wing, because when the latter moves into the konak with Sadakat, she'll need all the help she can get. The next sequence begins at the hospital, where Nare is still hell-bent on continuing with the pregnancy, though at great risk to her life. This is another glimpse of motherhood the show gives us - in the shape of a woman who is so in love with her unborn child already, she's willing to risk death to bring it into the world. Contrasted to that is Sadakat, who's willing to lie or cheat to keep her daughter alive. Here is a ruthless kind of motherhood. Sadakat's love (if you can call it that) has always been wrapped in control, manipulation, and fear. But, still at the center of all her ugliness is a woman who doesn't want to lose her children. Nare is willing to die for her child, Sadakat is willing to kill Nare's child to ensure she lives - quite the compelling contrast. Different forms of motherhood, but both rooted in desperation. In the middle of all that, Meryem pops up like a bad penny. But even as she arrives in that room and Sadakat wants to keep her there, the awkward silence that envelops the space as she lingers is telling. She doesn't belong, it seems to say. But, there's another person who's starting to question their 'belonging' in this new version of the past that's come back - and of course, that's Alya. The more she sees Meryem infiltrate parts of her life beyond the konak, the more her exposed nerves are rubbed raw. This woman is so close to complete and utter exhaustion, it's heartbreaking. What's even more heartbreaking is that while she tries to be there for everyone, she herself cuts everyone off when she feels troubled. And that, to me, is where the episode quietly portrays the emotional labor aspect of being a mom. Alya mothers everyone around her. Nare, Zerrin, Kaya, and Deniz. Even Cihan at times. She absorbs pain, tries to stem chaos, protects others from falling apart, yet when it comes to her own fears and insecurities, she retreats inward completely. It's almost as if she believes she only deserves to be the shelter, never the one allowed to seek sanctuary. Because children who grow up thinking they've been abandoned grow up thinking love is a thing to be earned through caring or usefulness. So, instead of asking for comfort, they always end up providing it. But humans, even the strongest of the strong, have their limits. And, it's so clear that Alya is close to reaching hers. So, when Cihan is forced to relent and allow Mujgan and her son to the konak because Deniz wants it, Alya does what she does best - she withdraws and leaves the source of discomfort. That's why she tells Cihan she hates going to the konak now because every time she goes there, the spectre of Meryem and what she can snatch away becomes unavoidable. And, as blind as Cihan can be at times, he picks up on that. He knows exactly what she's trying to do, which is why he tries to redirect her attention to the fact that he hates going to the konak without Alya around, too. He wants to be wherever Alya is. In his own way, he's trying to tell her it doesn't matter who stays at that house; it's only home to Cihan when Alya is around. His words reach Alya, which is why she relents and visits the konak for a few hours, but then shit hits the fan again. We'll get to that, but first, let's talk about Meryem. Meryem's scene in the hospital with Mujgan reveals Meryem saying she can't tell Cihan about Serhat because she's not sure who the father is, and that she'd rather live in the hope that Serhat is the son of the man she loves, bla blah. Now, go back and think of all the versions of motherhood we've seen in this series, and indeed this episode. They all have one thing in common - that all the mothers did whatever they had to, and bore whatever came their way to ensure their babies stayed with them. No matter how much Alya, Zerrin, or Nare love their better halves, when push came to shove, they put their children first. Even Sadakat married Azem for Boran. All except one. Meryem. Meryem sent her son away and made it look like he was Mujgan's child, thereby erasing all his links to her. One could argue it was because she feared Feyyaz. But what's stopping her now? Let's assume what Meryem says is right and there's a 50 percent chance Serhat is Cihan's son. For a mother desperate to save her child from danger, those are pretty good odds, so why avoid the DNA test? Suppose Serhat turns out to be Feyyaz's son; even so, if she comes clean with Cihan, she knows he's the kind to help her, even if just to keep an innocent child safe. So, her version of motherhood sticks out like a sore thumb in the episode. In contrast, I found Alya's line, 'When it comes to my son, I put him before everything and everyone else,' much more fitting with the theme. Mothers on the defensive, who feel there's a threat to their child's wellbeing, will relent to even the most extreme measure - even if it tears their own being apart. Alya hates being away from Cihan. She hates that distance she imposes between them as much as Cihan, but she can't help it. Because the mother in her won't let her choose anything else. Which is why I say Serhat is almost like an afterthought to Meryem because his needs are never the focus. And I get the feeling that whatever Meryem is trying to hide threatens not her son, but likely the version of herself she's presented to the world. Even when I rewatched the kite flying scene, the way the camera pans into Serhat only once, but mostly focuses on Cihan and Alya after showing us Meryem is telling. Like this is a woman not going through hell because of her child, but because she's looking at a structure of acceptance she's no longer able to enter. Life at the konak, Cihan's family unit, his love for Alya and Deniz - it's everything that could have been hers once, but no longer. No matter how she tries, she no longer fits. And honestly, that’s why that sense of not belonging is even more overt in an episode about motherhood. Every other mother in this episode becomes messy because of love for their child. Nare breaks down. Zerrin panics. Sadakat manipulates openly. Alya practically emotionally disintegrates trying to hold everything together. Their feelings spill all over the place because motherhood, especially threatened motherhood, breaks people down. But Meryem remains oddly stoic throughout it all, except for a few tears. She's mostly careful and controlled, and always aware of who's watching her. Going back to the point of shit hitting the fan, when Alya discovers Meryem and Mujgan in Cihan's room, she doesn't buy Meryem's story for a bit. When Cihan tries to calm the situation, she dismantles the sorry excuse Meryem gives with two questions. In other words, her spidey senses pick up trouble, but she keeps it locked in because she doesn't want to appear as the jealous, unreasonable wife. But things come to a head anyway when Feyyaz cuts Cihan and Alya off on the road. Cihan seems to finally realize exactly the kind of trouble Meryem has unleashed in their lives when Feyyaz keeps eyeing Alya. Because to Feyyaz's psychotic mind, Cihan is keeping Meryem away from him, which makes Alya fair game. But when Cihan insists Alya return to the konak, Alya flat out refuses, and all the pressure that's been building inside her gets directed at Cihan. She knows deep down he's not at fault, but the fact that he's jumped into another situation without thinking of the danger, grates on her nerves. Which is why her default setting kicks in; she demands that Cihan bring Deniz to her and leave the apartment. Cihan, who is already reeling from Alya pulling back from him and the reality of Feyyaz targeting the only thing he truly holds dear, is desperate to stop Alya's isolation before she decides he's not worth all the misery she's suffering, and does what's worked for him once before in a desperate situation (the airport, anyone?). He forgets everything, pulls Alya in, and kisses the breath out of her. And, it works too, because for that moment, Alya stops spiraling long enough to simply feel. To stop calculating danger or bracing for abandonment. She feels loved and safe in Cihan's arms again. That's what makes that kiss so powerful. It isn't just the passion. It's the desperation behind it, on both sides. Cihan isn't kissing Alya because he wants to win an argument. He's kissing her because he's terrified, and he misses her. He's worried that if she keeps retreating inward, one day she'll retreat so far he won't be able to reach her anymore. Worried that all the fear, exhaustion, and pressure she's carrying will eventually make her decide loving him isn't worth the cost. And Alya responds because beneath all her anger, fear, and exhaustion, she loves him just as desperately. That's the irony of CihAl this season. They're not going to pieces because the love is weakening. They're going to pieces because the love has become so enormous that losing it feels catastrophic to both of them. To conclude, everything within ep 60, including the kiss, works so beautifully because technically everyone is unraveling. Every woman in this episode is fighting to protect something she loves, but the ways they do so reveal who they are at their core. Alya protects by sacrificing parts of herself. Nare protects by risking herself. Sadakat protects by controlling others. Zerrin protects by enduring humiliation. And Meryem... Meryem protects the narratives she builds. Her emotions, while visible, don't land with impact, almost as if they're missing a core ingredient. On the opposite end of the spectrum lie CihAl, whose love strips them bare, only for them to realize that retreat is no option. The only way forward for them is through - through fear, through exhaustion, through jealousy, through danger, and through every ugly and painful thing that loving someone this deeply awakens inside them. Because CihAl are incapable of loving each other halfway. Their love keeps dragging every hidden wound, every insecurity, every instinct to the surface until there is nowhere left to hide. And maybe that’s the real contrast episode 60 quietly builds toward: one side clinging to carefully maintained facades, the other being emotionally dismantled by a love too raw and overwhelming to remain controlled. Till later, happy reading, y'all. #CihAl #UzakŞehir

CocoLoco

12,775 Aufrufe • vor 3 Monaten

It's interesting, this scene. Alya tells Mine that she won't be able to separate CihAl despite her pregnancy and all her efforts. But instead of listening, Mine acts out of spite and eventually brings about her own demise. And, this was just the beginning of s2. Now, in s1 we saw Ugur reach a similar fate, with a similar message. Anyone who tries to separate and endanger CihAl ends up losing their own life. There's also the fact that both Alya and Cihan have faced similar situations and prioritized saving each other's lives. Cihan doesn't think twice before reacting here to save Alya, though Mine and the baby are harmed. In episode 52, Alya does the same and gives away Deniz's location to save Cihan, and loses him to Boran and Ecmel. So, there's no way you can gauge who loves whom more, because both Cihan and Alya are thus far evenly matched. When it comes to 'bedelde', they've both faced the toughest challenges and chosen each other. Now, I know the sPoILeRs are saying one thing, but narratively, this entire damn season is saying another. Which is why I can't bring myself to believe this whole drama about Alya choosing to leave Cihan based on Boran's condition. I think that they're going to pass the 'kararde' bit with flying colors, too. They will choose to stay together. As for Boran and Meryem (if she appears)... the ends of Ugur and Mine offer a cautionary tale. So, let's see what we get tomorrow, eh? #CihAl #UzakŞehir
0:53

It's interesting, this scene. Alya tells Mine that she won't be able to separate CihAl despite her pregnancy and all her efforts. But instead of listening, Mine acts out of spite and eventually brings about her own demise. And, this was just the beginning of s2. Now, in s1 we saw Ugur reach a similar fate, with a similar message. Anyone who tries to separate and endanger CihAl ends up losing their own life. There's also the fact that both Alya and Cihan have faced similar situations and prioritized saving each other's lives. Cihan doesn't think twice before reacting here to save Alya, though Mine and the baby are harmed. In episode 52, Alya does the same and gives away Deniz's location to save Cihan, and loses him to Boran and Ecmel. So, there's no way you can gauge who loves whom more, because both Cihan and Alya are thus far evenly matched. When it comes to 'bedelde', they've both faced the toughest challenges and chosen each other. Now, I know the sPoILeRs are saying one thing, but narratively, this entire damn season is saying another. Which is why I can't bring myself to believe this whole drama about Alya choosing to leave Cihan based on Boran's condition. I think that they're going to pass the 'kararde' bit with flying colors, too. They will choose to stay together. As for Boran and Meryem (if she appears)... the ends of Ugur and Mine offer a cautionary tale. So, let's see what we get tomorrow, eh? #CihAl #UzakŞehir

CocoLoco

14,182 Aufrufe • vor 5 Monaten